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:

General Information

Morus wittiorum is a deciduous shrub or a small tree that can grow from 4 - 12 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials.
Morus wittiorum 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 - southern China (Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan)

Habitat

Forested slopes, beside streams; at elevations from 900 - 1,400 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	8.00 m

Cultivation Details

Morus wittiorum is native to the warm temperate and subtropical regions of southern China, where it can be found a elevations up to 1,400 metres[].

A dioecious species[].

Edible Uses

Fruit. We have no specific reports of edibility, but the fruits of all species in this genus are more or less edible[]. The fruit is a cylindrical syncarp up to 16cm long[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Fibres obtained from the bark are used for making textiles and paper[].

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[].