Szovitsia callicarpa
< On the list of Rare and Endangered Plants of Armenia
Beautyberry
Beautyberry (Callicarpa) is a genus of shrubs and small trees in the family Verbenaceae; between 40-150 species are accepted by different botanists. They are native to east and southeast Asia (where the majority of the species occur), Australia, southeast North America and Central America.
The temperate species are deciduous, the tropical species evergreen. The leaves are simple, opposite, and 5-25 cm long. The flowers are in clusters, white to pinkish. The fruit is a berry, 2-5 mm diameter and pink to red-purple with a highly distinctive metallic lustre, are very conspicuous in clusters on the bare branches after the leaves fall. The berries last well into the winter or dry season and are an important survival food for birds and other animals, though they will not eat them until other sources are depleted. The berries are highly astringent, and considered unfit for human use.
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Plant in Armenia
Շովիցիա գեղապտուղ (“Shovitsia geghaptugh”)
Status
Very rare species. Grows in the neighborhood of Yerevan. The population is decreasing.
Habitat in Armenia
Met in the floristic region of Yerevan.
Habitat and ecology
Grows on dry rocky or loamy hills.
Biology and potential value
Decorative plant. Has huge scientific interest.
Measures of protection
Protected in Erebuni reserve.