Beautyberry shown here has delicate pink flowers along the stem where the bright magenta berries will form.  This lovely native plant can be found in many different habitats from flatwoods to scrub and even in maritime hammocks.  The flowers can sometimes be white.  This makes a great understory plant in any native garden and will attract birds to the berries and butterflies to the flowers.  The berries are edible when cooked and are frequently made into a delicious jelly.  It's said that Native Americans used different parts of the plant for treatments for malaria, colic and dysentery.  The roots may have been used for stomach aches and even dizziness.  It's also rumored that the leaves can be crushed to repel mosquitoes!

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