Morus alba L. created by Judy Parker Smith

Link to image

permission not yet obtained for downloading onto this page

Common names (Little, 1980)

• White mulberry
• Russian mulberry
• Silkworm mulberry
• China mulberry

Taxonomy (Benson, 1957)

• Division: Spermatophyta
• Class: Angiospermae
• Subclass: Dicotyledoneae
• Group: Thalamiflorae
• Order: Urticales
• Family Moraceae

Identification

Morus alba 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 white mulberry is not native to Georgia, but has escaped throughout the state. It is identified by its leaves that are glabrous or nearly so on both sides.(Duncan, 1941) The leaf is smooth and shiny without the deep lines of the native species, Morus rubra. (Symonds, 1958) It is broadest near the base, 6-16 cm long, and sharply toothed along the margin. The small greenish flowers appear in early spring with fruit maturing in June or July. The fruits are 1-2 cm long and white to pinkish at maturity.(Elias) They are composed of many tiny beadlike 1-seeded fruits. They are sweet and juicy. The bark is light brown and smooth, becoming furrowed into scaly ridges. The twigs are light brown and tender. The tree itself, is small with a rounded crown of spreading branches. (Little, 1980)

Great link to more information!

Geography