Morus, a genus of flowering plants in the family Moraceae grow wild and under cultivation in many temperate world regions. The height of mulberry trees varies significantly depending on the variety. The white mulberry can tower up to 80 feet, while the black mulberry barely reaches 30 feet, and often grows as a bush if not trained.
Mulberry trees come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but all produce the clustered mulberry fruit. Most species were imported to the United States from Asia, but now thrive and are even considered invasive in some areas. Some cities in North America, such as El Paso, Texas and Phoenix, Arizona have banned the planting of new mulberry trees due to the amount of pollen they produce.
All mulberry varieties are deciduous. Mulberry flowers are clustered, appearing on catkins from old wood. They are wind-pollinated. Some trees, independent of type, are monoecious while others are dioecious. From the flowers come clustered fruits that resemble blackberries, ripening to a deep red, purple or white, depending on the variety. From seed, it can take six years for the tree to fruit.
The three major types of mulberry trees are the native red mulberry (Morus rubra), the East Asian white mulberry (Morus alba) and the southwestern Asian black mulberry (Morus nigra). Over the years, 150 different mulberry species have been noted, but only 10 to 16 of those are accepted as true species by the botanical community. Other accepted species include the Texas mulberry (Morus microphylla) and African mulberry (Morus mesozygia ). Numerous hybrids further complicate classification of mulberry trees.
Mulberry Trees
White Mulberry (Morus alba)
- Characteristics: Fast-growing, with leaves that can be lobed or unlobed. The fruit is usually white, but can be pink or purple when ripe. Leaves are often used to feed silkworms.
- Distribution: Native to China, widely planted around the world for silk production.
Black Mulberry (Morus nigra)
- Characteristics: Slow-growing tree with a dense crown. Fruits are dark purple to black, sweet, and more flavorful than many other mulberries.
- Distribution: Originates from southwestern Asia, now cultivated in many parts of the world, particularly in Europe and the Middle East.
Red Mulberry (Morus rubra)
- Characteristics: Native North American species with red to dark purple berries. The leaves can vary in shape, often with pointed tips.
- Distribution: Eastern United States, from Florida to Ontario in Canada.
Tatarian Mulberry (Morus tartarica)
- Characteristics: Small to medium-sized tree with red berries, similar to Red Mulberry but distinct in its more northern range.
- Distribution: Native to Russia, particularly in the steppes of Siberia.
Texas Mulberry (Morus microphylla)
- Characteristics: Known for its small leaves and berries. It’s drought-resistant and thrives in hot climates.
- Distribution: Southwestern United States and Mexico.
Himalayan Mulberry (Morus macroura)
- Characteristics: Large tree that can reach up to 15 meters. Fruits are long and cylindrical, turning red when ripe.
- Distribution: Native to the Himalayas, found in Nepal, India, and Bhutan.
Korean Mulberry (Morus australis)
- Characteristics: Small to medium tree, used in Korea for traditional medicine and silk production.
- Distribution: Eastern Asia, particularly Korea and parts of China.
Indian Mulberry (Morus serrata)
- Characteristics: Known for its large leaves and sweet fruits, which are elongated and violet when ripe.
- Distribution: Predominantly in the Indian subcontinent.
African Mulberry (Morus mesozygia)
- Characteristics: Robust tree with large, edible fruits. Its wood is also used for timber.
- Distribution: Found in West and Central Africa.
Australian Mulberry (Morus macroura ‘Australian’)
- Characteristics: While not a distinct species but a cultivar, it’s adapted to the Australian climate, producing large, sweet berries.
- Distribution: Cultivated in Australia.
Japanese Mulberry (Morus bombycis)
- Characteristics: Often confused with White Mulberry, but its leaves are slightly different, used extensively in sericulture.
- Distribution: Japan and parts of China.
Philippine Mulberry (Morus multicaulis)
- Characteristics: Fast-growing with leaves that are larger than many other mulberries. It has been used historically for its wood and leaves for silkworms.
- Distribution: Philippines and surrounding Southeast Asian regions.
Pakistan Mulberry (Morus laevigata)
- Characteristics: Noted for its shiny, smooth leaves and large fruits which can be white, pink, or purple. Often used for fruit and fodder.
- Distribution: Northern India, Pakistan, and parts of Afghanistan.
Chinese Mulberry (Morus cathayana)
- Characteristics: Medium-sized tree known for its early fruiting. Leaves are typically lobed and used for silkworm cultivation.
- Distribution: China, particularly in regions with temperate climates.
Morus alba ‘Pendula’ (Weeping White Mulberry)
- Characteristics: A cultivar of the white mulberry with a distinctive weeping growth habit. Fruits are similar to the species but less common due to the tree’s ornamental use.
- Distribution: Cultivated globally as an ornamental tree.
Morus atropurpurea (Purple Mulberry)
- Characteristics: Known for its dark purple foliage, especially in new growth. Fruits are also dark, almost black when ripe.
- Distribution: Eastern Asia, mainly China.
Morus insignis
- Characteristics: A tree with large leaves and significant fruits which are yellowish or greenish when ripe, often used in landscape for its ornamental value.
- Distribution: Southeast Asia, including Malaysia and Indonesia.
Morus celtidifolia
- Characteristics: Similar in appearance to the Red Mulberry but with distinct differences like more elongated leaves. Fruits are sweet.
- Distribution: Mexico, Guatemala, and parts of Central America.
Morus rubra var. ‘Illinois Everbearing’
- Characteristics: A variety of the Red Mulberry that fruits over an extended period. It’s prized for its consistent production.
- Distribution: United States, particularly in areas where Red Mulberry grows.
Morus mongolica
- Characteristics: Adapted to harsh conditions, this mulberry has small leaves and fruits, thriving in cold climates.
- Distribution: Mongolia, northern China, and parts of Russia.
Morus notabilis
- Characteristics: Notable for its small, sweet fruits and its use in traditional Chinese medicine. It’s a smaller tree, growing up to about 5 meters.
- Distribution: China, especially in mountainous regions.
Morus rotundiloba
- Characteristics: Known for its round-lobed leaves and the tree’s compact growth habit, suitable for small gardens. Fruits are small but sweet.
- Distribution: Eastern Asia, particularly in urban landscapes of China and Japan.
Morus sinensis
- Characteristics: Often confused with Morus alba due to similar fruit and leaf characteristics but has slight differences in leaf shape and tree form.
- Distribution: China, used in sericulture and for its fruit.
Morus wittiorum
- Characteristics: A species with berries that are enjoyed fresh or dried, noted for its resistance to cold weather.
- Distribution: Northeastern China, where it’s adapted to cooler climates.