Mulberry (Morus) is a genus of 10–16 species of deciduous trees native to warm temperate and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa and North America, with the majority of the species native to Asia.

The closely related genus Broussonetia is also commonly known as mulberry, notably the Paper Mulberry Broussonetia papyrifera.

Mulberries are fast-growing when young, but soon become slow-growing and rarely exceed 10-15 m tall. The leaves are alternately arranged, simple, often lobed, more often lobed on juvenile shoots than on mature trees, and serrated on the margin. The fruit is a multiple fruit, 2-3 cm long, red ripening to dark purple, edible, and sweet with a good flavour in several species.

Species

The taxonomy of Morus is complex and disputed. Over 150 species names have been published, but only 10-16 are generally cited as being accepted, though different sources cite different selections of accepted names. The classification is also complicated by widespread hybridisation, with the hybrids being fertile.

The following species are generally accepted:

• Morus alba (White Mulberry; eastern Asia)
• Morus australis (Chinese Mulberry; southeastern Asia)
• Morus mesozygia (African Mulberry; southern and central Africa)
• Morus microphylla (Texas Mulberry; south central North America: Texas, Mexico)
• Morus nigra (Black Mulberry; southwest Asia)
• Morus rubra (Red Mulberry; eastern North America)

The following, all from eastern and southern Asia, are additionally accepted by one or more taxonomic lists or studies; synonymy as given by other lists or studies is indicated in brackets:

• Morus atropurpurea
• Morus bombycis (M. australis)
• Morus cathayana
• Morus indica (M. alba)
• Morus japonica (M. alba)
• Morus kagayamae (M. australis)
• Morus laevigata (M. alba var. laevigata, M. macroura)
• Morus latifolia (M. alba)
• Morus liboensis
• Morus macroura (M. alba var. laevigata)
• Morus mongolica (M. alba var. mongolica)
• Morus multicaulis (M. alba)
• Morus notabilis
• Morus rotundiloba
• Morus serrata (Himalayan Mulberry; M. alba var. serrata)
• Morus tillaefolia
• Morus trilobata (M. australis var. trilobata'')
• Morus wittiorum

Uses and cultivation

The fruit is edible and is widely used in pies, tarts, wines and cordials. The fruit of the Black Mulberry, native to southwest Asia, and the Red Mulberry, native to eastern North America, have the strongest flavour. The fruit of the White Mulberry, an east Asian species which is extensively naturalised in urban regions of eastern North America has a different flavour, sometimes characterised as insipid. The mature fruit contains significant amounts of resveratrol.

Mulberry leaves, particularly those of the White Mulberry, are also economically important as the sole food source of the silkworm, the cocoon of which is used to make silk. Other Lepidoptera larvae also sometimes feed on the plant including Common Emerald, Lime Hawk-moth and The Sycamore.

Mulberries can be grown from seed, and this is often advised as seedling-grown trees are generally of better shape and health. However, they are most often planted from large cuttings, which take root readily.

Mythology

A Greek myth about Pyramus and Thisbe explains the color of the plants.

Celebration

The need for mulberry recognition and appreciation spawned International Mulberry Appreciation Day. This day falls on the last Tuesday of every May. Festivities include: berry picking, jam canning, wine stomping, and bon-bon making.

References and external links

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• Flora of China: Morus
• Flora of North America: Morus
• University of Melbourne: Sorting Morus names
• Museum of Cape Town: Moraceae
• Zhao Weiguo, Pan Yile, Zhang Zhifang Jia Shihai, Miao Xuexia & Huang Yongping. 2005. Phylogeny of the genus Morus. African Journal of Biotechnology 4 (6): 563-569 Online (pdf file)

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