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 still be considered distinct.

Common Name: Black Mulberry

General Information

Morus nigra is a deciduous shrub or a slender tree with a dense, spreading crown of numerous branches, usually growing 6 - 10 metres tall[]. Especially when grown in the open, the tree generally branches from low down and will adopt a shrub-shape unless trained[].
A slow growing[] but very ornamental tree[], the mulberry is sometimes cultivated in gardens for its delicious edible fruit[]. 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[]. The tree tends to be picturesque when old[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

W. Asia - possibly originally from western Iran, though widely cultivated in temperate regions and not known in a truly wild condition

Habitat

Original habitat is obscure.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the warm temperate zone and the subtropics, black mulberry only succeeds at higher elevations in tropical areas, generally above 1,000 metres[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 15 - 25°c, but can tolerate 10 - 38°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -5°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at -1°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 700 - 1,500mm, but tolerates 300 - 4,000mm[].
Prefers a warm moist but well-drained loamy soil in a sheltered sunny position[, ]. Prefers a light soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7, tolerating 4.3 - 8.3[]. Plants are very tolerant of atmospheric pollution[].
A slow growing[] but very ornamental tree[], the mulberry is sometimes cultivated in gardens for its delicious edible fruit[]. The tree is not usually 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[].
The mulberry takes many years to settle down and produce good crops of fruit, about 15 years being the norm[].
Plants are late coming into leaf in the spring and also lose their leaves at the first autumn frosts though the tree when in leaf casts quite a dense shade[].
Mulberries have brittle roots and so need to be handled with care when planting them out[].
Any pruning should only be carried out when the plant is fully dormant because mulberries bleed badly when cut[]. Ideally prune only badly placed branches and dead wood[].
Once considered to be a very long-lived tree, doubts are now being cast on this assumption, it is probably fairly short-lived[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
The mulberry is originally a subtropical fruit tree that originated in Iran or China and Japan and is only suited to the higher elevations above 1,000 metres in the tropics. In temperate regions it can be grown down to sea level. It is highly favoured in areas with long hot summers or extended droughts. A rugged species, it is fairly resistant to cold but grows best at lower altitudes when sheltered from wind and in coastal areas[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw, cooked or used in preserves[, , , , , , ]. A delicious slightly acid flavour, it makes an excellent dessert fruit and can be eaten in quantity[]. 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[]. 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[]. The fruit can also be dried and ground into a powder[]. The fruit is up to 25mm in diameter[, ].

Medicinal

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[]. The white mulberry (M. alba) is normally used, but this species has the same properties[].
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[].
Extracts of the plant have shown antibacterial and fungicidal activity[].

The plant is analgesic, emollient, sedative[, ].

The leaves are antibacterial, astringent, diaphoretic, hypoglycaemic, odontalgic and ophthalmic[, ]. They are taken internally in the treatment of colds, influenza, eye infections and nosebleeds[]. The leaves are collected after the first frosts of autumn and can be used fresh but are generally dried[].

The stems are antirheumatic, diuretic, hypotensive and pectoral[, ]. A tincture of the bark is used to relieve toothache[]. The branches are harvested in late spring or early summer and are dried for later use[].
The root bark is antitussive, diuretic, expectorant and hypotensive[]. It is used internally in the treatment of asthma, coughs, bronchitis, oedema, hypertension and diabetes[]. The roots are harvested in the winter and dried for later use[].
The bark is anthelmintic and purgative, it is used to expel tape worms[, ].

The fruit has a tonic effect on kidney energy[, ]. It is used in the treatment of urinary incontinence, tinnitus, premature greying of the hair and constipation in the elderly[]. Its main use in herbal medicine is as a colouring and flavouring in other medicines[].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the leaves[]. It is used in the treatment of diabetes[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is planted for shade, shelter, as a windbreak, as an ornamental and living fence[].
This is a good tree for growing grapes into[]. It means that the grapes are difficult to pick, but they always seem to be healthier and free from fungal diseases[].

Other Uses

A fibre used in weaving is obtained from the bark[, ].

A red-violet to dark purple dye is obtained from the fruit[].
A yellow-green dye is obtained from the leaves[].

Extracts of the leaves, roots and fruits are all used as ingredients in commercial cosmetic preparations as skin conditioners[].

The wood is used in joinery, for furniture making, agricultural tools etc[, , ].
The wood is used for fuel[].

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[, 113,200]. 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[]. The cuttings are taken in late winter 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[].
Layering in autumn[].