28 Mulberry Tree Facts: Fruits, Identification, Uses, And More

The mulberry tree was known and cultivated by many ancient civilizations worldwide.

The mulberry tree, or Morus, is a genus of deciduous trees in Moraceae. It comprises a wide range of species, including mulberries.

There are three types of mulberry trees that are very well known. These three species are known as Morus alba (white mulberry tree), Morus nigra ( black mulberry tree), and Morus rubra (red mulberry tree).

There are many other mulberry species that are also developed by cultivars: plants that are artificially reproduced by methods such as tissue culture, grafting, and controlled seed production.

White Mulberry is a fruit native to South Asia and can be found all around the world. It thrives in Europe, southern Africa, South America, and North America. The classification of the genus Morus has been disputed, and its fossils appear in the Pliocene record of the Netherlands.

Over 150 names of mulberry species are published, but most botanical authorities have accepted less than 20 of them.

Facts About Mulberry Trees

The mulberry tree belongs to the fig family. It is a deciduous tree which means that it loses its leaves during the fall. These trees provide many useful things, and everything that comes from it is quite valuable.

There are more than ten mulberry species in the world that can be found in warm temperate and subtropical climates.

Mulberry trees prefer moist woodlands and streams.

They require well-drained soil in order for their roots to obtain adequate oxygen.

The optimum location for them to develop is in an area that is exposed to a lot of direct sunlight.

The three types of mulberries produce different colored fruits, which come from distinct regions of the world.

White mulberries are native to South Asia (eastern and central China).

The white mulberry tree is considered an invasive species in Brazil and North America.

It also grows in Europe, India, Southern Africa, North and South America.

The red mulberries are native to Eastern and Central North America.

The plant is found in numerous states across the United States, including Ontario, Minnesota, Vermont, Southern Florida, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, India, and Gulf Coast.

The third member of the trio is the black mulberries. They are native to Western Asia and the Middle East.

They are grown across these countries such as Europe, Sweden, Ukraine, China, Israel, Turkey, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, and India.

Mulberry species are monoecious (this type of plant has both male and female flowers) and dioecious (having only male or female flowers).

It depends on the individual tree; mulberries are capable of being either monoecious or dioecious.

Mulberry Tree's Uses

People from all around the world have been using the leaves, fruit, bark, and root of the plant for traditional medicine. Mulberry trees have properties that promote good health as well.

Mulberry wood is often used for fences and barrels because it is lightweight.

People also use branches from mulberry trees to make baskets.

Mulberries are used in pies, tarts, jams, syrups, wines, cordials (non-alcoholic drinks like squash), and herbal teas (infusion of multiple herbs).

The sericulture and silk industries are heavily dependent on white mulberry leaves. The mulberry leaves appropriately feed silkworms.

According to the popular tale, Chinese Empress Xi Lingshi was having tea when suddenly a cocoon from a mulberry tree fell into her tea; when she picked it out, it turned into a long thread.

This iconic discovery led to the production of silk and the rearing of silkworms.

The sensational creature responsible for silk production is known as Bombyx Mori. All silkworms belonging to the genus Bombyx produce silk.

Silkworms were domesticated after this and fed mulberry leaves; this led to the booming production of silk, which the Chinese have been doing for the past 5,000 years.

The ancient Romans used leaves of the white mulberry to treat diseases of the mouth, trachea, and lungs.

Mulberry Tree's Fruits

The fruits of mulberry trees are infused with numerous health benefits.

Mulberries are rich in many vitamins minerals and are used in various forms of dietary supplements.

The fruits of the mulberry tree are good for improving your digestive health, lowering your cholesterol, controlling your blood sugar level, and regulating your blood pressure.

Mulberry fruit can also help improve blood circulation, cure anemia, improve vision, maintain better heart health, promote brain health, enhance immune power, and build bone tissue to some extent.

There are different types of mulberry fruits; white fruits are usually sweet.

The fruit of red mulberry is typically deep red, sweet, and juicy.

The fruit of black mulberry is large and juicy, with balanced sweetness and tartness.

Mulberries are not single berries; these fruit trees come in clusters and are a little linear and oblong in shape.

The outside of the fruit is covered in small individual berries that all taste the same.

The fruit of mulberry trees can be eaten fresh or dried.

The fruit of various mulberry trees shares similar nutritional content.

Mulberries are an abundant source of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and fiber; they also have high water content.

Mulberry Tree's Identification

Mulberry trees differ according to their species, but each species is somewhat similar in structure and taxonomy.

Mulberry trees are readily identified by their leaves; they are green in color and are shaped oval; the leaves have a smooth surface and are closely linked to the branches.

White mulberry trees are medium-sized and fast-growing; they can grow up to 40-60 ft (13-18 m), and their leaves are 12 in (30 cm) long.

White mulberry tree's average life span can possibly be up to 100 years.

Red mulberry trees can grow up to 35–50 ft (10–15 m).

They are small to medium in size and can typically live up to around 50 years and up to 75 in rare cases.

Morus rubra leaves are 2-7 in (7-18 cm) long and 3-4 in (8-12 cm) wide.

Black mulberry trees can grow to a height of 70-80 ft (21-24 m).

The leaves of black mulberry trees are 4–8 in (10–20 cm) long and 2–4 in (5–10 cm) wide.

They can live for hundreds of years.

The black mulberry tree has a staggering 308 chromosomes (DNA molecule), which is an enormous amount!

The maestro, Vincent van Gogh, had included the mulberry tree in some of his paintings, notably 'Mulberry Tree.'