American Beautyberry?

I found a pretty good looking shrub today, and was thinking about digging it up(It's on my property). Between the multicolored bark and the interesting purple berries, I thought it might have potential. Has anybody worked with this plant?

I'm not familiar with this species, although I knew it exists. Try it. The one that is usually used for bonsai is Callicarpa japonica, but they are all pretty similar. I have seen them in fruit as bonsai. They are usually grown in clump style. Callicarpa dichotoma has the smallest leaves, but the one I have in my garden is very temperamental. I recently planted another one, which I think is japonica. It is covered with berries.
Believe it or not, those artificial looking berries are edible by humans. The birds around here don't eat them, as far as I know.
Go for it.  
Iris

bonsaisr wrote:I'm not familiar with this species, although I knew it exists. Try it. The one that is usually used for bonsai is Callicarpa japonica, but they are all pretty similar. I have seen them in fruit as bonsai. They are usually grown in clump style. Callicarpa dichotoma has the smallest leaves, but the one I have in my garden is very temperamental. I recently planted another one, which I think is japonica. It is covered with berries.
Believe it or not, those artificial looking berries are edible by humans. The birds around here don't eat them, as far as I know.
Go for it.  
Iris

Sounds like a plan. I'll try to get some picture when I dig it up. It's interesting that you mention the clump style, because the tree I have in mind is growing in a sort of clump/raft.

Callicarpa americana seems pretty common where I live, but I think the only things that eat them are the racoons and squirrels. I know some people eat them raw, and they can even be used in jelly. I'm not sure I'd eat them, but they're quite beautiful look at.