There's a new superstar plant in Texas
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Lone Star State is no stranger to going big and bright. Texas gets high marks and several No. 1 rankings in many aspects of life — ranging from food to music to various forms of the arts.
Add another one to the list of people and things that have achieved such notoriety. What makes this one a bit unique is that it’s not a person, a restaurant or a song.
No, it’s a plant.
This plant has beautiful and vivid purple berries. It’s a plant known for its beauty, as well as its benefits to the ecosystem. It’s called the American Beautyberry. It is Texas’ newest Texas superstar plant.
Dr. Andrew King is the Assistant Professor of Ornamental Horticulture for Texas A&M AgriLife. He said the plant is a tough plant. The weather changes the state sees during the year contributes to its superstar status.
King speaks to how this plant came to get its prestigious award, citing more than just its toughness and its benefits to the ecosystem.
The plant serves as a food source for birds and other pollinators.
One of the other things that makes it a perfect plant for the state is that it’s drought tolerant, does well in cold air and doesn’t require all that much maintenance.
Texas AgriLife has more details on the American Beautyberry plant, including how to plant and grow one.
