Care Disclaimer: Plant care recommendations are general guidelines based on common growing conditions. Individual results may vary based on your local environment, climate, and care routine. If your plant is toxic, keep it away from children and pets, and consult a veterinarian if accidental ingestion occurs.
1.Callicarpa — Overview
Callicarpa bodinieri, commonly known as Bodinier's Beautyberry, is a visually striking deciduous shrub belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Native to the mountainous regions of western and central China, particularly Sichuan, Hubei, and Yunnan, it thrives in woodland margins, forest clearings, and open slopes.
This species is celebrated for its remarkable clusters of iridescent, metallic-purple berries that cling to bare stems, offering a captivating display throughout autumn and winter. The genus name, Callicarpa, derives from the Greek words 'kallos' (beauty) and 'karpos' (fruit), a direct testament to its most prominent ornamental feature.
Introduced to Western horticulture in the late 19th century, Callicarpa bodinieri has become a favored landscape plant, with cultivars like 'Profusion' being especially popular due to their prolific berry production and seasonal interest. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it holds historical significance in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where its roots and leaves have been traditionally used for their properties:
• Anti-inflammatory
• Hemostatic
The shrub typically reaches 2 to 3 meters in height and spread, exhibiting an elegant, upright to arching growth habit. Its simple, opposite leaves are ovate to elliptic with finely serrated margins, turning soft yellow, pink, or purplish hues in autumn before abscission.
Small, delicate pinkish-lavender flowers bloom in axillary cymes during late summer, preceding the spectacular berry development that defines the Beautyberry's allure.
Trusted Scientific References
Authoritative external sources for Callicarpa bodinieri:
Callicarpa should be interpreted through verified botanical identity, practical care, and responsible safety language. This recovery note adds the missing context needed for a complete profile: match light to the plant's habit, use well-drained soil, water according to season, and avoid unsupported medicinal or edible claims. For publishing, the plant can be presented as a source-backed garden plant with clear care guidance, common problem diagnosis, and conservative safety wording.
1.1.Callicarpa — Key Features
- Dazzling Metallic — Purple Berries — Iconic feature, persisting into winter.
- Deciduous Shrub — Offers seasonal interest with autumn foliage and winter berries.
- Native to China — Found in specific regions of western and central China.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Use — Valued for anti-inflammatory and hemostatic actions.
- Rich Phytochemistry — Contains terpenes, flavonoids, phenolics, and more.
- Ornamental Value — Widely cultivated for its aesthetic appeal, especially cultivar 'Profusion'.
- Moderate Size — Reaches 2-3 meters in height and spread.
- Wildlife Food Source — Berries provide sustenance for birds during colder months.
- Low Maintenance — Generally robust and resistant to pests and diseases.
- Adaptable Growth — Thrives in woodland margins and open forest clearings.
1.2.Callicarpa — Quick Summary
- Bodinier's Beautyberry (Callicarpa bodinieri) is a striking deciduous shrub known for its vibrant purple berries.
- Traditionally used in TCM for its anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, and wound-healing properties.
- Rich in terpenes, flavonoids, and phenolics, contributing to its medicinal effects.
- Easy to cultivate, thriving in full sun to partial shade with moderate water.
- Preparations include decoctions, poultices, tinctures for various ailments.
- Caution advised for pregnant individuals, children, and those on certain medications.
2.Callicarpa — Scientific Identity
3.Callicarpa — Categories & Tags
4.Callicarpa — Appearance & Identification
5.Callicarpa — Water Requirements
- Site Selection — Prefers full sun to partial shade; best berry production occurs in full sun.
- Soil Requirements — Thrives in well-drained, average to moist soils; tolerant of a range of soil types including clay, loam, and sand.
- Watering — Requires moderate watering, especially during dry spells; established plants are somewhat drought-tolerant.
- Fertilization — Generally not needed in fertile soil; a balanced, slow-release fertilizer can be applied in spring if growth is poor.
- Pruning — Benefits from annual pruning in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth and maximize berry production on new wood.
- Propagation — Easily propagated by softwood cuttings in early summer or by seed, though seeds require stratification.
- Pest and Disease — Generally resistant to most serious pests and diseases, making it a low-maintenance shrub.
- Climate — Hardy in USDA Zones 5-8, tolerating a range of temperatures.
Reviewed by the Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel
Multi-disciplinary editorial group · Botany · Ethnobotany · Herbal-medicine literature
Who reviewed this: This page was checked by the Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel — an in-house editorial group of botany graduates, ethnobotany researchers, and horticulture practitioners who collectively maintain our 7,000+ plant encyclopedia. Meet the team.
Our 4-step verification process
1. Taxonomic verification
Scientific names and synonyms cross-checked against Kew POWO, World Flora Online, and The Plant List.
2. Phytochemical & medicinal cross-reference
Active compounds, traditional uses, and reported activities are cross-referenced with PubMed, USDA Dr. Duke's database, and peer-reviewed ethnobotanical literature.
3. Conservation & distribution check
Distribution, ecology, and conservation status confirmed against GBIF occurrence records and the IUCN Red List.
4. Editorial & safety review
Every entry passes an editorial pass for clarity, originality, and safety notices (toxicity, contraindications, dosage caveats) before publication.
Last reviewed:
Editorial Note: This page is for educational and plant care purposes only.
Written by: Flora Medical Global Editorial Team
Reviewed by: Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel
Last Updated: June 28, 2026
Callicarpa — Comments & Community Reviews
Rate this plant
No reviews yet. Be the first!