This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Uses

Toxic parts

Skin contact with the leaves or stems can cause dermatitis in some very sensitive people[1]. The milky sap in the leaves and unripe fruits can cause dermatitis, hallucinations and central nervous system disturbances[2].

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw, cooked or made into preserves[3][4][5][6][7][8]. Large and sweet with a good flavour, the fruit can be up to 3cm long[9]. The fruit can also be dried and ground into a powder[8]. This is used to make a delicious confection with almonds and other nuts[8]. The fruit is soft and juicy, when fully ripe it falls from the tree and is easily squashed[10]. Unripe fruits can cause stomach disorders[1]. Young shoots and unfolding leaves - raw or cooked.

Fruit

Leaves

Material uses

A cloth can be made from the fibrous bark[7]. Wood - coarse-grained, light, very durable, not strong, soft, rather tough. It weighs about 45lb per cubic foot and is used for boats, fencing and cooperage[11][12][13][10][14].

Unknown part

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The root bark is anthelmintic and cathartic[5]. A tea made from the roots has been used in the treatment of weakness, difficult urination, dysentery, tapeworms and as a panacea[15][16].

The sap is used in the treatment of ringworm[15][16]. Another report says that the milky juice obtained from the axis of the leaf is used[5].

The fruits are used to reduce fevers[15].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Secondary canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

The seed germinates best if given 2 - 3 months cold stratification[17][18]. 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[19][20]. 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[19][20][9]. Bury the cuttings to threequarters of their depth.

Layering in autumn[9].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Morus rubra. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a warm well-drained loamy soil in a sunny position[21][22].

The red mulberry is sometimes cultivated for its edible fruit, there are some named varieties[8]. It is said to be of no value as a fruiting tree in Britain[21][22]. Trees come into bearing when about 10 years old, fruiting best between the ages of 30 - 85 years and declining from the age of 125 years[10]. A good plant to grow grapes into. The grapes are difficult to pick but they always seem to be healthier and free from fungal diseases[23]. Mulberries have brittle roots and so need to be handled with care when planting them out[24]. Any pruning should only be carried out in the winter when the plant is fully dormant because mulberries bleed badly when cut[24]. Ideally prune only badly placed branches and dead wood[24]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[9].

Dioecious[14] Male and female plants must be grown if fruit is required.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Morus rubra. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Morus rubra.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Morus rubra
Genus
Morus
Family
Moraceae
Imported References
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    Fertility
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

    "image:Morus rubra.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Morus rubra.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Morus rubra.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Morus rubra.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Morus rubra.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Morus rubra.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Morus rubra.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Morus rubra.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Morus rubra.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Morus rubra.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Morus rubra.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Morus rubra.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Morus rubra.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Morus rubra.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Morus rubra.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. ISBN 0889025649 (1989-00-00)
    2. ? Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J [Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas] Botanical Research Institute, Texas. (1999-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-5531-7 (1972-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.4 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold ISBN 0442222009 (1982-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Vines. R. A. Trees of Central Texas. University of Texas Press ISBN 0-292-78958-3 (1987-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.4 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.4 Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. ISBN 0292780206 (1982-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.2 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.215.3 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.116.2 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    17. ? McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books ISBN 0-901361-21-6 (1985-00-00)
    18. ? Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. ()
    19. ? 19.019.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    20. ? 20.020.1 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
    21. ? 21.021.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    22. ? 22.022.122.2 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    23. ? Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (1993-00-00)
    24. ? 24.024.124.2 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    25. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-159" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.

    "image:Morus rubra.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Facts about "Morus rubra"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyMoraceae +
    Belongs to genusMorus +
    Has binomial nameMorus rubra +
    Has common nameRed Mulberry +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFruit + and Leaves +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf sterile +
    Has flowers of typeDioecious +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imageMorus rubra.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useFibre + and Wood +
    Has mature height15 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnthelmintic +, Cathartic + and Febrifuge +
    Has primary imageMorus rubra.jpg +
    Has search namemorus rubra + and red mulberry +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameMorus rubra +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheSecondary canopy +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Morus rubra +, Morus rubra +, Morus rubra +, Morus rubra +, Morus rubra +, Morus rubra + and Morus rubra +