Practical
Plants

Morus nigra

Black Mulberry

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Moraceae
Genus
Morus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
10 m
Spread
15 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.

None known

Edible uses

Fruit - raw, cooked or used in preserves[1][8][17][19][21][24][7]. A delicious slightly acid flavour, it makes an excellent dessert fruit and can be eaten in quantity[K]. The fruit is juicy and refreshing, though it must be used as soon as it is ripe (from mid-August to September) otherwise it will start to rot[10]. The fruit falls from the tree as soon as it is fully ripe. It is best, therefore, to grow the tree in short grass to cushion the fall of the fruit but to still make it possible to find and harvest[K]. The fruit can also be dried and ground into a powder[7]. The fruit is up to 25mm in diameter[10][13].

Plant part
Fruit

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.

The mulberry has a long history of medicinal use in Chinese medicine, almost all parts of the plant are used in one way or another[14]. The white mulberry (M. alba) is normally used, but this species has the same properties[14]. 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[14]. Analgesic, emollient, sedative[21][6]. The leaves are antibacterial, astringent, diaphoretic, hypoglycaemic, odontalgic and ophthalmic[12][14]. They are taken internally in the treatment of colds, influenza, eye infections and nosebleeds[14]. The leaves are collected after the first frosts of autumn and can be used fresh but are generally dried[14]. The stems are antirheumatic, diuretic, hypotensive and pectoral[12][14]. A tincture of the bark is used to relieve toothache[21]. The branches are harvested in late spring or early summer and are dried for later use[14]. The fruit has a tonic effect on kidney energy[12][14]. It is used in the treatment of urinary incontinence, tinnitus, premature greying of the hair and constipation in the elderly[14]. Its main use in herbal medicine is as a colouring and flavouring in other medicines[19]. The root bark is antitussive, diuretic, expectorant and hypotensive[14]. It is used internally in the treatment of asthma, coughs, bronchitis, oedema, hypertension and diabetes[14]. The roots are harvested in the winter and dried for later use[14]. The bark is anthelmintic and purgative, it is used to expel tape worms[19][15]. Extracts of the plant have antibacterial and fungicidal activity[12]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the leaves[24]. It is used in the treatment of diabetes[24].

Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Hypoglycaemic
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Odontalgic
Product or use
Purgative

Material uses

A fibre used in weaving is obtained from the bark[21]. A red-violet to dark purple dye is obtained from the fruit[5]. A yellow-green dye is obtained from the leaves[5]. Wood - used in joinery[2].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Fibre
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
W. Asia?
Habitat
Original habitat is obscure.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

The seed germinates best if given 2 - 3 months cold stratification[23][25]. 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[22][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[22][4][10]. Bury the cuttings to threequarters of their depth. It is said that cuttings of older wood up to 2.5 metres long can be readily made to strike[19]. The cuttings are taken in February and planted 30cm deep in a shady sheltered position outdoors. The stem is wrapped in moss to prevent water loss by transpiration, with only the top few buds not being covered[19]. Layering in autumn[10].

Cultivation

Prefers a warm moist but well-drained loamy soil in a sheltered sunny position[1][3]. Prefers a light soil[18]. Plants are very tolerant of atmospheric pollution[19]. Trees are hardy as far north as southern Sweden[19]. A slow growing[10] but very ornamental tree[1], the mulberry is sometimes cultivated in gardens for its delicious edible fruit[7]. The tree is not grown on a commercial scale because the fruit is too soft and easily damaged to allow it to be transported to market, and is therefore best eaten straight from the tree. There are some named varieties[7]. The mulberry takes many years to settle down and produce good crops of fruit, about 15 years being the norm[19]. Trees fruit well in southern and south-western Britain[20][10] but they require the protection of a wall further north if the fruit is to ripen[10]. This is a good tree for growing grapes into[9]. It means that the grapes are difficult to pick, but they always seem to be healthier and free from fungal diseases[11]. Plants are late coming into leaf and also lose their leaves at the first autumn frosts though the tree in leaf casts quite a dense shade[10]. Mulberries have brittle roots and so need to be handled with care when planting them out[14]. Any pruning should only be carried out in the winter when the plant is fully dormant because mulberries bleed badly when cut[14]. Ideally prune only badly placed branches and dead wood[14]. Once considered to be a very long-lived tree, doubts are now being cast on this assumption, it is probably fairly short-lived[3]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[10].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  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. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

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

    ↩

  12. 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

  13. Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. 1982-00-00 ISBN 0292780206

    ↩

  14. 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

  15. 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

    ↩

  16. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

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

    ↩

  18. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00

    ↩

  19. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  20. Thurston. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall.

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  24. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

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