American beautyberry, Callicarpa americana

Beautyberry lives up to its name. The closely packed bunches of bright purple berries really catch your eye. But these flowers certainly are nothing to sneeze at. This cluster approached two inches across. During flowering the branches are lined with these. The berries are edible, tasty, but astringent. Don't eat too many or your tummy will ache. American beautyberry grows in AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, MO, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, and VA; also the Bahamas, Bermuda, Cuba, and northeastern Mexico. Lowndes Co GA, 7/7/18. Vervain family, Verbenaceae.