Description
Morus – Mulberry –
There are about 12 species of upright to rounded, deciduous shrubs and trees in this genus. They occur mainly in woodland in Africa, North and South America with most coming from Asia.. They produce alternate, roughly heart shaped with closely toothed edges, often lobed, are light to dark green. In late spring and early summer, tiny, cup shaped, pale green male and female flowers are borne in separate catkins on the same plant, each female flower cluster develops into a single, spherical to oblong, edible, raspberry-like fruit. Grow most as specimen trees, M. nigra and M. rubra, are best species for edible fruit, often used in making jam and wine. The leaves of several species are used to feed silkworms.
Grow in any moderately fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun. Shelter from cold, drying winds.
Prone to bacterial leaf scorch, coral spot, powdery mildew, butt rot, canker, Southern blight, root rot, borers, scale insects, and mealy bugs.
M. rubra – Red Mulberry – This rounded tree from Southeastern Canada and Eastern USA grows 40-70′ feet tall and 50′ feet wide, and is rare in cultivation. It produces serrated edged, heart shaped sometimes lobed leaves, usually 5″ long, but sometimes more, with heart shaped bases and abruptly pointed tips, with a rough upper surface and are very downy beneath, they are dark green, turning yellow in autumn. Cylindrical, sweet tasting fruit, to 1 1/4″ long, ripen to dark purple in late summer.
Zones 5-9
