White Mulberry (also known as Silkworm Mulberry or Common Mulberry)
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Angiosperms, Class: Eudicots, Order: Rosales, Family: Moraceae, Genus: Morus, Species: Morus alba · Moraceae (Mulberry family) · Simple, deciduous
Species
Morus alba (Confidence: 95%)
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Family
Moraceae (Mulberry family)
Shape
Polymorphic; ranging from ovate to deeply lobed (this specimen is 3-lobed). Bases are usually cordate to truncate.
Size
Approximately 3-5 inches in length and 2-4 inches in width, aligning with the typical range for young, vigorous shoots.
Margin
Consistently serrate (toothed) with rounded or sharp teeth along the entire perimeter.
Arrangement
Alternate; arranged singularly at different levels along the stem.
Rarity
Very Common; frequently seen as a weed tree in urban landscapes and agricultural fringes.
Color & Pattern
Bright to medium green on the upper surface with a slightly paler green underside. No variegation is present; the color is uniform across the blade.
Venation Pattern
Palmate-pinnate; three main veins radiate from the base of the blade, with secondary pinnate veins branching off the central midrib.
Texture & Surface
Smooth and somewhat glossy on the upper surface (adaxial), which distinguishes it from the rougher Red Mulberry. The surface is mostly glabrous.
Description
A medium-sized deciduous tree with a rounded crown. It is famous for its polymorphic leaves—single plants can have unlobed and deeply lobed leaves on the same branch. The bark is light orange-brown with thick ridges, and it produces sweet, blackberry-like fruits that range from white to pinkish-purple.
Key Features
Polymorphic leaf shapes (lobed and unlobed), shiny upper leaf surface, serrate margins, and a milky sap produced when the petiole is broken.
Habitat
Highly adaptable; found in floodplains, forest edges, disturbed sites, and urban environments. Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.
Geographic Range
Native to Central and Eastern China; widely naturalized throughout Europe, North America, and India. Often considered invasive in North American forest edges.
Condition Notes
Excellent health; the leaf shows vibrant chlorophyll levels, minimal insect herbivory, and no signs of fungal mildew or spotting.
Interesting Facts
This species was imported to the U.S. in colonial times in a failed attempt to establish a silk industry, as its leaves are the primary food source for silkworms (Bombyx mori).
Medicinal & Uses
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for treating coughs and fever. The fruit is edible, and the wood is used for making tool handles or cricket bats.
Ecological Role
Provides significant food for birds and small mammals; however, it hybridizes with the native Red Mulberry, threatening the genetic integrity of the native species.
Similar Species
Red Mulberry (Morus rubra), which has larger, rougher/sandpapery leaves; Basswood (Tilia americana), which has more symmetrical heart-shaped leaves without deep lobes.
Foraging Tips
Look for trees with multiple leaf shapes on the same branch. In summer, the presence of messy, fallen white-to-purple fruits is a primary giveaway.
Toxicity Warning
Non-toxic; however, the milky sap in the stems and unripe fruit contains a mild latex that may cause stomach upset or skin irritation in sensitive individuals.