Family: Moraceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 986 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Morus
Vegetable: False
Observations: SE. Canada to C. & E. U.S.A.
Description
The Red mulberry, scientifically known as Morus rubra, is a deciduous tree native to southeastern Canada and central and eastern parts of the United States. This plant is part of the Moraceae family, a large family that includes a variety of trees, shrubs, and herbs.
Morus rubra was first described by the renowned Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753. Its fruit, which changes from red to dark purple as it ripens, is edible and has a sweet flavor, making it a favorite among people and wildlife alike. These berries are often used in jams, pies, and other culinary delights.
The Red mulberry can grow to an impressive height, commonly reaching between 10 to 20 meters. Its dark green leaves have a rough texture on the top and are covered with soft hairs underneath, typically ranging from 7 to 14 centimeters in length. During the fall, the leaves of the Red mulberry transform into a striking yellow color, adding visual interest to the landscape.
This tree thrives in rich, moist, and well-drained soils, often found in the fertile lowlands of its native range. It can tolerate some drought but performs best in environments with consistent moisture. The Red mulberry is also known for its durable wood, which has historically been used in furniture making and other woodcrafts.
In addition to its economic and ecological importance, the tree has substantial cultural significance. Indigenous peoples of North America have used various parts of the tree for medicinal purposes and as a food source for centuries.
Given its value and versatility, the Red mulberry remains a cherished component of North America’s natural heritage. Its ability to provide food, habitat, and aesthetic beauty ensures its continuing presence and importance in both cultivated and wild landscapes.
Common Names
Eng: red mulberry
Spa: moral rojo
Fra: mûrier rouge
Deu: roter maulbeerbaum
Swe: rött mullbär
En: Red mulberry
Fr: Mûrier rouge
De: Roter Maulbeerbaum
Es: Moral rojo
Sv: Rött mullbär
Synonyms
- Morus virginica (Duhamel ex Dippel)
- Morus pensylvanica (Nois. ex G.Don)
- Morus scabra (Willd.)
- Morus rubra f. atropurpurea (F.Seym.)
- Morus reticulata (Raf.)
- Morus rubra f. incurva (F.Seym.)
- Morus rubra var. incisa (Bureau)
- Morus rubra var. tomentosa ((Raf.) Bureau)
- Morus rubra f. laevis (F.Seym.)
- Morus rubra var. murrayana ((Saar & Galla) Saar)
- Morus rubra var. pensylvanica ((Nois. ex G.Don) Moretti)
- Morus argutidens (Koidz.)
- Morus rubra var. canadensis ((Poir.) Moretti)
- Morus rubra var. scabra ((Willd.) Moretti)
- Morus riparia (Raf.)
- Morus canadensis (Poir.)
- Morus tomentosa (Raf.)
- Morus caroliniana (Moretti)
- Morus murrayana (Saar & Galla)
- Morus rubra var. missouriensis (Audib. ex Moretti)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- Florida (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New York (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Virginia (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Bermuda (introduced)
- New Mexico (introduced)
- Turkey (introduced)
- Turkey-in-Europe (introduced)
Additional Images
Fruit
Taken May 25, 2020 by Shahrir Wan (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 29, 2021 by Jason Batang (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 1, 2019 by Omolla Srikanth (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 27, 2021 by Thomas Cizauskas (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 18, 2021 by Lopez (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Mar 23, 2022 by Karina Batista (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 6, 2020 by sara walker (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 24, 2021 by To AnSo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 29, 2021 by Daniel O’Rear (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 13, 2022 by Peter Francissen (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Nov 10, 2014 by EOL − Cheryl-Ann (cc-by-nc)
Taken Nov 26, 2015 by EOL − Ashley R. Sealy (cc-by-nc)
Taken Oct 13, 2015 by EOL − Jesse Lincoln (cc-by-nc)
Taken Aug 14, 2021 by J Vandenberg (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 29, 2021 by Jason Batang (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jul 10, 2022 by Quinton Snow (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 2, 2021 by K C (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 5, 2022 by Iohann Roloff (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 25, 2022 by Adam Socha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 13, 2021 by Cait Massie (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jan 6, 2022 by Angel Mesch (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 15, 2021 by catherine white (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 11, 2019 by Joshua Kuykendall (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 8, 2022 by Devin Turner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 6, 2021 by Heather Den Bak (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken May 11, 2020 by Gypsy 🐉 (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 2, 2004 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Aug 13, 2019 by Peter V (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 11, 2020 by riad zioui (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 30, 2019 by matthieu ttyuuop (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:854710-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5361886)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Morus rubra L.)
Specifications
Growth form: Single Stem
Growth habit: Tree
Growth rate: Moderate
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.0
Ph minimum: 5.0