red mulberry
Family
MoraceaeScientific Name
Morus rubraSynonyms (former Scientific Names):
Morus murrayana
Morus rubra var. murrayana
Leaves
The leaves are simple, alternate, and
up to 2 dm long. The leaves are broad, egg-shaped,
and lobed. The base of the leaf is square, as if it has
been cut off abruptly. The tip of the leaf is pointed.
The leaves have sharply serrated margins. The upper
leaf surface is rough to the touch. The lower surface
is soft and covered with short hairs.
Identifying Characteristics
Mulberry Family (Moraceae). Red
mulberry is a tree that can reach 20 m in height and
45 cm in diameter. Red mulberry has a short trunk
and stout, spreading branches that form a roundtopped crown. The bark can be smooth or scaly and
is dark brown in color. The branchlets are covered
with short hairs.
Flower Seed Head
The petioles are
2 to 3 cm long and produce a milky fluid when
broken. The catkins that bear stamens are 2 to 5 cm
long. The catkins that bear pistils are 2 to 2.5 cm
long.
Seed Fruit
Red mulberry has aggregate fruits that are 2 to
3 cm long. The fruits are juicy and have a dark
purple color.
Where Found
Red mulberry is found in floodplains, river
valleys, and moist hillside
Growth Habit
woody bush or tree
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
Varies:
dime,
half dollar
Dominant Flower Color
Varies:
white,
green
Flower Symmetry
not symmetrical
Leaf Hairs
has hairs
Leaf Shape
round
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
Varies:
lobed,
serrated
Leaf Structure
simple
Leaf Stalk
shorter than leaf
Stem Hairs
has hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Life Cycle
perennial
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Tree