White Mulberry

(Morus Alba)

Interesting Information About Plant:

     A medium-sized tree found on a wide variety of sites. A native of China but is thoroughly naturalized in moist sites. Leaves are often variable in shape and divided into three to five lobes. Fruit maturing white in late spring. Fruit is relished by many birds and squirrels. Suitable for human consumption as well. Used in shelterbelt plantings. It usually grows as an extremely dense, round topped tree with a profusion of tight-knit slender branches. Extremely fast growing at a rate of 10-12' over a 4 to 6 year period. Multiple fruits of small fleshy drupes, sweet, somewhat similar in size and shape to blackberry; birds love them. Fast-growing, with low water requirements and a high tolerance for salt and alkali soils.

Common Name:  White Mulberry       

Scientific Name:   Morus Alba

Family Name (Scientific and Common):  Moraceae Morus M. Alba  -  White Mulberry

Continent of Origin: Eastern and Central China

Most Distinguishing Morphological Features of This Plant: lobed leaves and fruit

Plant Growth Habit:    Small Tree  

Height at Maturity:    More than 10 Feet

Life Span:    Perennial

Seasonal Habit:   Deciduous Perennial

Growth Habitat:    Full Sun 

Manner of Culture:  Landscape Shrub-Vine-Tree  

Thorns on Younger Stem?   No

Cross Section of Younger Stem:      Roundish    /  

Stem (or Trunk) Diameter:     Between The Diameter of a Broom-Handle and a Coffee-Mug  

Produces Brownish Bark?   Yes  

Bark Peeling in Many Areas?    No

Characteristics of Mature (Brownish) Bark:    Lines Go Up-Down   

Type of Leaf:   Flat, Thin Leaf  

Length of Leaf (or Leaflet):   Between the Length of a Credit Card and a Writing-Pen  

Leaf Complexity:    Simple 

Shape of Leaf:    Simple 

Edge of Leaf?      Serrated

Leaf Arrangement:  Alternate 

Leaf has Petiole?  Yes 

Patterns of Main-Veins:  Palmate

Leaf Hairiness:   Somewhat Hairy  

Color of Foliage in Summer:    Green 

Change in Color of Foliage in October:     Changes to Yellow/Brown   

Flowering Season:   Spring 

Flowers:    in Loose Group 

Type of Flower:   nondescript catkins

Color of Flower:   /  Green  

Shape of Individual Flower:    Bilaterally Symmetrical  

Size of Individual Flower:  Between a Quarter and the Length of a Credit

Sexuality:   changes from one sex to another

Size of Fruit:    Between a Quarter and the Length of a Credit Card 

Fruit Fleshiness at Maturity?    Fleshy  

Shape of Fruit:    Oblong-Oval   

Color of Fruit at Maturity:      Green/white   

Fruit Desirable to Birds or Squirrels?      Yes   

Unique Morphological Features of Plant:  lobed leaves

Is the Plant Poisonous:     Part of Plant   

Pesty Plant (weedy, hard to control)?    No

Common Name(s): White Mulberry

Louisville Plants That Are Most Easily Confused With This One:  Osage Orange

Page prepared by: 

Josh Feger

 November 2005