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: Himalayan Mulberry

General Information

Morus serrata is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 15 metres tall[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - Himalayan regions of Pakistan, western India, Nepal and China (Zixang)

Habitat

Forests and shrubberies; at elevations from 1,200 - 2,700 metres[]. Mountain forests; at elevations around 2,300 metres in Tibet[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	20.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a warm well-drained loamy soil in a sunny position[, ].
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[].
Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed and fruit is required.
The plant is cultivated for its edible fruit in Kunawar[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, , , ]. Mucilaginous and sweet but not very fleshy[].

Medicinal

The juice of the root is used as an anthelmintic[].

The fruit is used in the treatment of coughs and throat irritations[].

Other Uses

Wood - moderately hard, fine grained. It is highly valued for furniture, agricultural implements etc[, , ].

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.
Layering in autumn[].