Beautyberry

This open-habit shrub is native to the Southern United States, where it is often grown as an ornamental in gardens and yards. American beautyberries produce large clusters of purple berries, which birds and deer eat, thus distributing the seeds. The raw berries are suitable for human consumption only in small amounts, because they are astringent; they are also used in jellies. The roots are used to make herbal tea. It has been claimed that fresh, crushed leaves help keep biting insects away from animals and a plant compound, callicarpenal, has reportedly proved effective in tests as a mosquito repellent. However, when I photograph insects on this bush, the mosquitoes hover around in large numbers so just being near the bush doesn’t repel them!