Beauty berry, Urn fruit
Callicarpa macrophylla

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows to about 3-6 m high. It has straggling branches. The leaves are 10-25 cm long by 3.5-10 cm wide. The are oblong to sword shaped. They have shallow round teeth at the edge and are softly hairy above. They have thick cottony hairs underneath. The flowers are small and pink. They occur in dense compound flower arrangements. The fruit is fleshy with a stone inside. It is white and spongy. It is succulent when fully ripe.

There are about 140-150 Callicarpa species. Previously in the Verbenaceae family.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows to about 1500 m altitude in Nepal. It grows in moist places. In India it grows on shady slopes between 700-1000 m altitude. It grows between 600-1500 m altitude in Uttar Pradesh. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Bhutan, China, East Africa, Hawaii, Himalayas, India (country/location of origin), Indochina, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, USA, Vietnam, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The ripe fruits are eaten raw. They are sweet.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Dahidhula, Dahigola, Dahijalo, Dahiya, Daia, Daiya, Daya, Dayya, Dhaichamia, Guyelo, Guyali, Karauji, Mathara, Mattraiya, Pebok-gale-ahpyu, Priyangu, Shiwali, Sigyi, Upneu

Synonyms

Callicarpa incana Roxb.;