2023 Plant of the Year, Honorable Mention

A second Honorable Mention was awarded to Callicarpa americana, commonly known as American beauty berry. The fruit provides spring nectar for bees, and year-round sustenance for at least 40 species of mammals and birds. The fruit is also high in moisture content and is an important food source for more than forty species of songbirds including the American Robin, Brown Thrasher, Purple Finch, and Eastern Towhee. The drupes or clusters are eaten by armadillo, foxes, opossum, raccoons, and squirrels. White tailed deer consume the fruit in the fall after leaf drop. Crushed leaves deter mosquitos.