Practical
Plants

Morus alba

White Mulberry

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Morus genus in the family Moraceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Moraceae
Genus
Morus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
18 m
Spread
10 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
monoecious

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

One report suggests that the raw fruit contains hallucinogens[23]. This fruit is frequently eaten in various parts of the world, there are even some named varieties, and no such effects have been mentioned elsewhere, nor observed by the writer when he has eaten the fruit. Possibly the unripe fruit was being referred to in the report, though even this would be surprising[K].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw[35][39][31]. A sweet taste, but the fruit is usually insipid[38][30]. It contains about 1.5% protein, 0.5% fat, 8% carbohydrate, 0.7% malic acid[33]. Fruits of the cultivar 'Pendulum' tried at Kew in July 1994 had a pleasant flavour[K]. A richer flavour develops if the fruit is dried, it can then be used as a raisin substitute. The fruit is up to 25mm long[36]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Per 100 g, the fruit is reported to contain 87.5 g water, 1.5 g protein, 0.49 g fat, 8.3 g carbohydrates, 1.4 g fiber, 0.9 g ash, 80 mg Ca, 40 mg P, 1.9 mg Fe, 174 IU vit. A, 9?g thiamine, 184 µg riboflavin, 0.8 mg nicotinic acid, and 13 mg ascorbic acid. Young leaves and shoots - cooked[29][34]. A famine food, used when all else fails[32]. The leaf makes a good vegetable, it is rich in carotene and calcium[33]. Protein perparations from young mulberry leaves form an excellent supplement to protein-deficient diets[37]. The dry leaves contain 18 - 28.8% protein, 0.2 - 0.7% Magnesium, 0.8 - 13.6% soluble sugars, 0.6 - 1.4% phosphorus, 2 - 3.9% potassium, 1.4 - 2.4% calcium, 0.8 - 1.8% aluminium, 0.05 - 0.26% iron, 1.8 - 2.6% silica, and 0.3 - 0.56% sulphur[37]. The leaf also contains 10% tannin[33]. Inner bark - roasted and ground into a meal then used as a thickener in soups etc or mixed with cereals when making bread. A famine food, used when all else fails[33]. The tree is said to be a source of an edible manna[34]. Young shoots can be used as a tea substitute[34].

Plant part
Fruit
Plant part
Inner bark
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Sap
Product or use
Manna
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The white mulberry has a long history of medicinal use in Chinese medicine, almost all parts of the plant are used in one way or another[19]. Recent research has shown improvements in elephantiasis when treated with leaf extract injections and in tetanus following oral doses of the sap mixed with sugar[19]. The leaves are antibacterial, astringent, diaphoretic, hypoglycaemic, odontalgic and ophthalmic[8][18][19]. They are taken internally in the treatment of colds, influenza, eye infections and nosebleeds[8][19]. An injected extract of the leaves can be used in the treatment of elephantiasis and purulent fistulae[8]. The leaves are collected after the first frosts of autumn and can be used fresh but are generally dried[19]. The stems are antirheumatic, antispasmodic, diuretic, hypotensive and pectoral[8][18][19]. They are used in the treatment of rheumatic pains and spasms, especially of the upper half of the body, high blood pressure[8]. A tincture of the bark is used to relieve toothache[24]. The branches are harvested in late spring or early summer and are dried for later use[19]. The fruit has a tonic effect on kidney energy[18][19]. It is used in the treatment of urinary incontinence, dizziness, tinnitus, insomnia due to anaemia, neurasthenia, hypertension, diabetes, premature greying of the hair and constipation in the elderly[8][19]. The root bark is antiasthmatic, antitussive, diuretic, expectorant, hypotensive and sedative[8][19]. It is used internally in the treatment of asthma, coughs, bronchitis, oedema, hypertension and diabetes[8][19]. The roots are harvested in the winter and dried for later use[19]. The bark is anthelmintic and purgative, it is used to expel tape worms[20]. Extracts of the plant have antibacterial and fungicidal activity[18].

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Antiasthmatic
Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Antitussive
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emollient
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Hypoglycaemic
Product or use
Hypotensive
Product or use
Odontalgic
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Pectoral
Product or use
Purgative
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A fibre is obtained from the bark of one-year old stems, it is used in weaving[24][25]. The stem bark is fibrous and is used in China and Europe for paper making[21]. The twigs are used as binding material and for making baskets[21]. A brown dye is obtained from the trunk[10]. The leaves contain 10% tannin[11]. This tree can be grown as a part of a shelterbelt. The cultivar 'Tartarica' has been especially mentioned[16], it is very suitable for northern latitudes and is much used as a sheltebelt in Russia[21]. The wood of the mulberry is a potentially excellent source of ethanol, with yields of up to 6% from sawdust treated with acid and then given four days incubation[21]. Wood - light to moderately heavy, hard, durable, fine and close-grained, though it shows a tendency to warp. Due to its elasticity and flexibility when steamed, it is valued for making sports equipment such as tennis rackets and cricket bats, being considered as good as ash (Fraxinus excelsior)[19][21]. It is also used for boat building, furniture, agricultural implements etc[5][6][7][21]. It furnishes a medium grade fuel wood[21].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Fibre
Product or use
Tannin
Product or use
Wood
Product or use
Biomass

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China?
Habitat
Not known in a truly wild situation.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, drought
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The seed germinates best if given 2 - 3 months cold stratification[27][28]. Sow the seed as soon as it is ripe if possible, otherwise in February in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in the first spring, though it sometimes takes another 12 months. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Plant out in spring. A good percentage take, though they sometimes fail to thrive[26][4]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 25 - 30cm with a heel of 2 year old wood, autumn or early spring in a cold frame or a shady bed outside[26][4][16]. Bury the cuttings to threequarters of their depth. Layering in autumn[16].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in a variety of soils[21], though it prefers a warm well-drained loamy soil in a sunny position[1][3]. Plants are fairly wind-resistant[16], though the branches are often killed back when growing in strong maritime exposure[K]. At least some cultivars are drought resistant, the form 'Tatarica' has been especially mentioned[13]. The white mulberry is occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit, there are a number of varieties[13] and sub-species varying greatly in the quality of their fruit. The form M. alba multicaulis. (Perretot.)Loud. [synonym M. multicaulis. Perretot.] has been specially mentioned for its fruit[2]. The cultivars 'Nana' and Fegyvernekiana' are dwarf forms only making shrub size[12]. The cultivar 'Pendulum' was seen growing at Kew in July 1994 with a heavy crop of tasty fruits, the first of which were just ripening[K]. Mulberries have brittle roots and so need to be handled with care when planting them out[19]. Any pruning should only be carried out in the winter when the plant is fully dormant because mulberries bleed badly when cut[19]. Ideally prune only badly placed branches and dead wood[19]. This is a good tree for growing grapes into[15]. The grapes are difficult to pick but always seem to be healthier and free from fungal diseases[17]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[16].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

  4. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2

  5. Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1976-00-00

    ↩

  6. Vines. R. A. Trees of Central Texas. University of Texas Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-292-78958-3

    ↩

  7. Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press 1945-00-00

    ↩

  8. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  9. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

  10. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩

  11. Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00

    ↩

  12. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  13. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  14. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

  15. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩

  16. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  17. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

    ↩

  18. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  19. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12↩13↩14↩15↩16

  20. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩

  21. Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - 1983-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  22. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7

  23. Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold 1982-00-00 ISBN 0442222009

    ↩

  24. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2

  25. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩

  26. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  27. McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6

    ↩

  28. Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.

    ↩

  29. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)

    ↩

  30. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)

    ↩

  31. Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press (1945-00-00)

    ↩

  32. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)

    ↩

  33. Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (1977-00-00)

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  34. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)

    ↩1↩2↩3

  35. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)

    ↩

  36. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)

    ↩

  37. Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - (1983-00-00)

    ↩1↩2

  38. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-5531-7 (1972-00-00)

    ↩

  39. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)

    ↩

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