A good shade(part to full) shrub/small tree that always reminds me of the Ozarks, is Lindera benzoin, or Spicebush. It can grow in ozark soil just fine too. It has leaves that can be made into tea, I believe, and the berries are edible. The birds appreciate the berries as well and the butterflies appreciate the early spring flowers. It is also the hosplant for the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly. This Arky is posting from North Little Rock. :)

I live North Little Rock and have seen these in the Ozarks. I think the bush you are referring to is American Beautyberry. The birds seem to like the berries and the bush is excellent for native landscaping. Google Image Search for American Beautyberry The ones you see probably don't have any leaves right now though.

I like wild mulberries. They are sweet but don't have the sour component of other berries. I have a wild mulberry too close. It is old and has lost branches. It used to drop fruit which brought insects and I would step on the fruit and have purple on my shoes. I liked the tree anyway because the birds loved it and I feed birds. I don't know anything about the improved kind. Just put it where the fallen fruit will not cause a problem and yes you will have purple bird poop.

Hi Nashonii! You need to stop and chat with us more often. Wish I could answer your question. Maybe you could start a new thread so more people would see it. Does Fayetteville have a Master Gardeners organization? They might keep track of events.