Mulberry

Description

Mulberry (Morus spp./Moraceae)contains 10 species that grow in North America (2), Central and South America (4) and from Africa to Asia (5). All species look alike microscopically, although the heartwood of M. rubra turns a dark mahogany red over time. The only native US species are Red Mulberry (Morus rubra) and Texas Mulberry (Morus microphylla).

Red Mulberry (Morus rubra), is widespread in Eastern United States. It’s range extends from Massachusetts and southern Vermont west through the southern half of New York to extreme southern Ontario, southern Michigan, central Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota; south to Iowa, southeastern Nebraska, central Kansas, western Oklahoma and central Texas; and east to southern Florida. A rapid grower, red mulberry favors valleys, flood plains, and low moist hillsides. The wood is of little commercial importance but is used locally for fence posts because of the durability of its heartwood. Other uses of the wood include farm implements, cooperage, furniture, interior finish, and caskets (Martin, Alexander C., Herbert S. Zim, and Arnold L. Nelson. 1961. Mulberry family: Moraceae. In American wildlife and plants. p. 313-314. Dover Publications, New York).