Morus Alba

Morus alba (White Mulberry) is a small deciduous tree with a short trunk and a dense, rounded canopy of spreading branches. The alternate, simple, heart-shaped, glossy dark green leaves, 3-7 in. long (7-18 cm), display 3 prominent veins that run from the rounded or obliquely cordate base. The foliage may turn a pleasing yellow in fall. White mulberry is usually dioecious (separate male and female trees). The male flowers are small, and green, and occur in 1-2 in. (2-5 cm) long catkins. The female flowers are inconspicuous and crowded in short spikes. In summer, it bears edible, oval, white fruits ripening to deep pink, dark red, or purple-black. Native to central and eastern China, White Mulberry is widely cultivated and has naturalized elsewhere across the world. In some areas, White Mulberry is invasive, hybridizing with native species Morus rubra in North America and out-competing other native species in South Africa.