Morus rubraIndiana Native
Red Mulberry

 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flower Notes:
Green (Dioecious; in early spring; not ornamentally important)
 Foliage Notes:
Green (Summer; attractive dark green); Yellow (Fall; inconsistent)
 Stem Notes:
stout, thinly pubescent
 Fruit Notes:
Purple (Attractive red to dark purple, resembling blackberries; edible)
 Ultimate Height:
40-70 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
40-50 feet
 Bloom Times:
 Soil Water Requirements:
 Soil Notes:
Prefers moist, well-drained soils, but is fairly adaptable
 Range:
Eastern United States
 Maintenance:
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Leaves are 3-5" long, alternate, simple, ovate, sometimes 2- to 3-lobed, toothed (primarily on younger shoots), and softly pubescent on the underside. Buds are 0.25-0.33" long, brown-black, glabrous, and imbricate. The thick brown stems are covered in a fine pubescence and exude a milky sap when broken. Bark is reddish brown.

Additional Information

The Red Mulberry is fairly adaptable and can sometimes be a prolific self-seeder. To prevent bleeding, it should be pruned in late fall or winter. Although somewhat more sensitive to soil requirements, Morus rubra is considered to be a better choice than the related Morus alba (White Mulberry), which has a much more invasive character. Morus rubra is dioecious, so male and female flowers are borne on separate trees. Female trees, if fertilized, bear edible fruits that are attractive to birds and humans. The blackberry-like fruits have a short half-life, but are sweet and can be eaten fresh, or in jellies, jams, and wines.

When Morus rubra has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

Flowering

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Fruiting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

1 Morus rubra found

Building Map...

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= Heritage plant = Memorial plant
Number Accession ID Location
1ORIG_6843*ANLSN
Heritage Plant

Other plants like this Morus rubra (Red Mulberry)

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