BEAUTYBERRY
(sp. Callicarpa americana)
Also known as a French Mullberry, it’s one
of those volunteer plants that might just
sprout up in your yard one day. Crushed
Beautyberry leaves have been used as a
natural Mosquito Repellant for humans
and livestock.
LORE: The roots, leaves and branches
were used by Native Americans to treat
malarial fevers, rheumatism, dizziness,
stomachaches, dysentery, and even colic.
BLACKBERRY
(sp. Rubus fruticosus)
The Blackberry Shrub is considered a ‘Bramble’, and it was very
popular here in Rockport (through
the early 1970’s), when families
used to grab their buckets and walk
over to the Blackberry patch. And
Blackberry Cobbler goes very well
with vanilla ice cream.
LORE: During the Civil War,
when there were outbreaks of
Dysentery, temporary truces were
declared to allow both Union and
Confederate soldiers to “go Blackberrying” to gather Blackberries
for making Blackberry Tea.
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