White Mulberry (Common Mulberry)
Morus alba · Moraceae (Mulberry family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Shape
Asymmetrically lobed (mitten-shaped/ovate with one prominent lobe)
Margin
Serrate (coarsely toothed)
Arrangement
Alternate
Venation
Palmate venation originating from the base, with prominent veins radiating outwards.
Key Features
Highly variable leaf shape on a single tree (unlobed, mitten-shaped, or deeply multi-lobed), milky sap in twigs, coarse serrated margins, and palmate venation.
Description
Morus alba, commonly known as the White Mulberry, is a fast-growing deciduous tree or large shrub famously cultivated for centuries to feed silkworms. It features variable leaf shapes on the same branch—some unlobed and ovate, others deeply lobed like mittens—and produces sweet, aggregate fruits ranging from white to dark purple-black that are heavily favored by birds and wildlife.
Habitat
Thrives in disturbed areas, forest edges, urban environments, and along roadsides in full sun to partial shade, tolerating a wide range of soil types.
Native Range
Native to temperate Asia (primarily China), but widely naturalized across North America, Europe, and other temperate regions globally.