American Beautyberry, French Mulberry                kal-i-KAR-pa ja-pon-I-ka

• Broadleaf deciduous shrub grows rapidly to 3-8 ft wide and 6 ft wide (0.9-2.4 x 1.8 m), with an open habit.   Considered the coarsest of the ones mentioned here.  Leaves opposite, simple, elliptic-ovate to ovate-oblong, 7-15cm long, toothed, softly pubescent above and tomentose below.  Pale blue or white flowers appear in spring or early summer in small clusters.  Fruit 5-10 mm across, violet, and borne close to the stem.
• Hardy to USDA Zone (6) 7     Native range from Maryland to North Carolina, Arkansas, south to Mexico, and West Indies.