Didier Descouens · CC BY-SA 4.0
About
The genus *Morus* includes many deciduous trees commonly known as mulberries, notable for their diverse colors and the fact that *Morus alba* is the species most preferred by the silkworm. The fruit is a multiple berry that ripens from white or green to pink, red, dark purple, or black, and has a sweet flavor when fully ripe.
Field notes
Morphology
The leaves are alternately arranged, simple, and often lobed and serrated on the margin, with lobes being more common on juvenile shoots than on mature trees. The fruit is a multiple berry, approximately 2–3 cm long, which changes color from white, green, or pale yellow to pink, red, dark purple, or black.
Distribution & habitat
Black, red, and white mulberries are widespread across Southern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, Northern Africa, and the Indian subcontinent. The species are also found in the United States and Australia, though some types are considered invasive in certain regions.
Cultivation notes
Mulberries can be grown from seed, though large cuttings are often preferred as they root readily. The plants are typically raised in block formation with spacing of 1.8 by 1.8 m or 2.4 by 2.4 m. The trees can be pruned annually during the monsoon season to maintain a height of 1.5–1.8 m.
Habitat
- Altitude
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- Altitude Class
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Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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