Leycesteria formosa aka Pheasant Berry

Leycesteria formosa, also known as the pheasant berry, is a deciduous shrub belonging to the family Caprifoliaceae. It is native to the Himalayas and southwestern China but has become a noxious invasive species in various regions such as Australia, New Zealand, and the neighboring islands of Micronesia. In its native habitat, this shrub is commonly used in traditional medicine by the local communities. It grows up to 1.8m in height and forms a dense thicket of upright, cane-like stems. The bright lime green leaves are pointed and turn red when young. During the summer, pendent clusters of white flowers adorned with dark red bracts appear, followed by purple berries in autumn. Leycesteria formosa is not only a visually appealing shrub but also attracts a diverse range of wildlife. Bees are drawn to its flowers, while birds like blackbirds and pheasants are attracted to the berries.