Re: Wild berry or poison? HELP I hope this picture attachment shows up--It looks a lot like the picture shown--I took it last week on a country road in the Eastern Arkansas Ozarks. I too was captivated by the size and color of these berries. The true color is more a lavendar than a grape color. I would like to know what kind of berry /bush it was. Kathie
Re: Wild berry or poison? HELP Yes, Beauty Berry, Callicarpa americana, Family: Verbenaceae I have found these with white berries.
Re: Wild berry or poison? HELP Thank you so much for your reply. Yes, that is exactly the plant that I found! I'll have to keep my eyes open for the white berries. I bet they are spectacular as well. It looks like it's non-toxic. Thank you again! Kathie
Re: Wild berry or poison? HELP Callicarpa berries are non-toxic, but have a very nasty flavour (very bitter/astringent).
Re: Wild berry or poison? HELP Thank you for your reply. Once I was told the name of the berry and the shrub---I did some research---apparently the roots and bark were used by native Indians for medicinal purposes, and the leaves are a viable biting bug, insect repellent being studied for marketing at this time.
