Morus rubra L. created by Judy Parker Smith

                      Link to image

                      permission not yet obtained for putting image on this page

    Common names (Braco, 1995)

    Taxonomy (Benson, 1957)

    Identification

    Morus rubra was first described by Carl von Linneaus in Species Plantarum which was published in 1753. Specimens of this species can be found in the University of Georgia Herbarium in cabinet #1913. Live specimens may be observed in the forest area of the State Botanical Garden in Athens, Georgia.

    The red mulberry is usually a small tree, rarely growing over 50 feet tall under normal conditions. The wood is weak and course-grained and has few commercial uses. It is, however, relatively decay resistant and has been used as fence posts.(Patterson, 1984) Flowering occurs in early spring as the leaves are developing. These flowers are small, greenish and hang in clusters. The fruit becomes almost black and very sweet in about two months. The bark is thin with irregular fissures and long ridges. It is dark, reddish brown. The branches are stout, and spreading. Leaves of the red mulberry are alternate, deciduous, and 7.5-10 cm long. They span about 5 cm wide and are broadest near the base. The leaves are 1 or 3 lobed, heart shaped at the base, and have course teeth along the margins. They are thin and papery, dark blue-green and usually rough and slightly hairy when young. At maturity, the leaves are smooth and paler with whitish hairs on the lower surface. (Elias, 1980)

    Geography

    Morus alba L.

    AREA STATUS REFERENCES
    North America:
    Continental United States; Canada
    No Elias
    Eastern North America:
    United States east of Mississippi;
    Ontario and eastern Canada
    No Elias
    Southeastern United States:
    AL AR DE DC FL GA KY MD NC SC TN VA WV
    Yes Elias
    Southern Appalachian States:
    AL GA KY MD NC SC TN VA WV
    Yes Elias
    Coastal Plain Yes Elias
    Piedmont Yes Elias
    Blue Ridge Mountains rare Duncan
    Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    ?
    Ridge and Valley Yes Elias
    Cumberland Plateau Yes Elias
    Central Arch Yes Elias
    Georgia Yes Elias
    Clarke County, Georgia Yes State Botanical Garden
    Sams Farm Yes Judy Smith, per.ob
    Old Field
    No Judy Smith, per.ob
    Wetland
    ? -
    Woods
    ?
    1-Hectare Plot
    Yes Judy Smith, per.ob in the 180 and 80 transects