Red mulberry

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Morus rubra
RED MULBERRY

Moraceae
E. North America

Location: map coordinates J-7 (east of retention pond, west of Jenkins Hall), N 39°11'14'' W 75°32'46''

Planting history: planted November 2010. Source: Go Native Tree Farm, PA. (Dr. S. Yost, USDA NIFA Capacity Building Grant funds).

Description:
  • small- to medium-sized deciduous tree
  • etymology: Morus from the Latin name for M. nigra; rubra = red (fruits)
  • leaf unlobed or 1- to 3-lobed; toothed; autumn foliage dull yellow. Leaf similar to white mulberry, but red mulberry is hairy beneath and sandpapery above
  • fruit fleshy, multiple (develops from a cluster of tiny flowers); dark purple; ripens quickly; edible, but ripens quickly, doesn’t store well
  • habitat: rich woods and edges
  • much less common than the non-native white mulberry (Morus alba)
  • the non-native white mulberry hybridizes with red mulberry, thus threatening red mulberry’s genetic viability

Native species, State Rank S3 (uncommon, but not of conservation concern, yet; typically only 21-50 known populations in Delaware)
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