The genus Morus, as treated here, comprises 19 species of which 9 are currently included in this database. It has been proposed (Zeng Q et al, (2015) Definition of Eight Mulberry Species in the Genus Morus by Internal Transcribed SpacerBased Phylogeny. PLoS ONE 10(8): e0135411.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0135411) that there are only eight distinct species in this genus. If this treatment is accepted then this species will no longer be considered distinct.

Common Name: Mongolian Mulberry

General Information

Morus mongolica is a deciduous shrub or small tree that can grow up to 7.5 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.
Morus mongolica has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Mongolia, China, Japan, Korea.

Habitat

Mountain slopes, high mountains and forests; at elevations from 500 - 3,500 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	7.50 m
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a warm well-drained loamy soil in a sunny position[, ].
Closely allied to M. alba[], and considered to be no more than part of that species by some botanists[].
Mulberries have brittle roots and so need to be handled with care when planting them out[].
Any pruning should only be carried out in the winter when the plant is fully dormant because mulberries bleed badly when cut[]. Ideally prune only badly placed branches and dead wood[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
This species is dioecious[]. Both male and female plants will need to be grown if fruit is required.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, ]. Sweet but insipid[, ]. Palatable[, ]. The red to purple fruit is around 15mm long[, ].

Medicinal

The bark is used medicinally[]. No more details are given.

Other Uses

The fibres of the bark are raw material for textile and paper making[].

Propagation

The seed germinates best if given 2 - 3 months cold stratification[, ]. Sow the seed as soon as it is ripe if possible, otherwise in late winter 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, mid summer in a frame. Plant out in spring. A good percentage take, though they sometimes fail to thrive[, ].
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[, , ]. Bury the cuttings to threequarters of their depth.
Layering in autumn[].