American Beautyberry

Callicarpa americana

Illustration: American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) violet clusters

Identification: Shrub with spectacular tight clusters of vivid violet-purple berries ringing the stems in fall. Opposite toothed leaves.

Dangerous look-alikes: No toxic look-alike with that exact clustered violet display. Porcelainberry (Ampelopsis) has multicolored berries and is a different vine — not deadly, but not food.

Edible parts: Ripe berries.

Season and habitat: Fall. Pine woods, hammocks, thickets.

Preparation: Raw berries are bland-mealy — best as jelly (gorgeous color) or wine. Leaves reportedly repel mosquitoes when crushed (traditional use, weak evidence).