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 ovate, sometimes shallowly lobed, with an acuminate tip and a cordate or truncate base
Margin
Serrate to coarsely dentate with rounded or pointed teeth
Arrangement
Alternate
Venation
Palmate-pinnate hybrid venation with prominent pale yellow-green primary veins radiating from the base and forming a reticulate network
Key Features
Polymorphic leaves (some unlobed, some lobed on the same branch), serrate margins, cordate bases with prominent palmate veins, milky sap in stems and petioles, and aggregate sweet fruit
Description
Morus alba, commonly known as the white mulberry, 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 alternate leaves that are famously polymorphic, sometimes unlobed like this specimen or deeply lobed on the same tree.
Habitat
Thrives in disturbed areas, forest edges, urban environments, and along roadsides; prefers well-drained soils and full sun exposure but is highly adaptable to poor soils and drought
Native Range
Native to northern China, but widely naturalized across Europe, North America, and other temperate regions globally