Black Mulberry (Morus nigra) is a species of mulberry. It is native to southwestern Asia, where it has been cultivated for so long that its precise natural range is unknown.

It is a small deciduous tree growing to 10-13 m tall. The leaves are 10-20 cm long and 6-10 cm broad (up to 23 cm long on vigorous shoots), downy on the underside, the upper surface rough with very short, stiff hairs. The edible fruit is dark purple, almost black, when ripe, 2-3 cm long, a compound cluster of several small drupes; it is richly flavoured, similar to the Red Mulberry (Morus rubra) but unlike the more insipid fruit of the White Mulberry (Morus alba).

Cultivation and uses

Black Mulberry has long been cultivated for its edible fruit, and is planted and often naturalised west across much of Europe, and east into China.

References

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• Flora of China: Morus nigra

Moraceae

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