White Mulberry (Common Mulberry)
Morus alba · Moraceae (Mulberry family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Shape
Ovate to broadly cordate, occasionally lobed with 1 to several lobes
Margin
Serrate to dentate (coarsely toothed)
Arrangement
Alternate
Venation
Palmate venation with three prominent primary veins radiating from the base, branching into a reticulate network
Key Features
Variable leaf shape on the same branch (some unlobed, some mitten-shaped, some deeply lobed), rough texture, palmate venation with three distinct basal veins, and milky sap in twigs.
Description
Morus alba is a fast-growing small to medium-sized tree reaching heights of 30 to 50 feet. It features a rounded crown, rough grayish-brown bark, and produces succulent, sweet, multiple fruits that resemble blackberries, turning from white to pinkish-purple or dark red/black when ripe.
Habitat
Thrives in disturbed areas, forest edges, urban environments, and along roadsides; prefers full sun and well-drained soils but is highly adaptable
Native Range
Native to temperate Asia (primarily China), widely naturalized across North America, Europe, and parts of other continents where it was introduced for silkworm production