Mulberry Weed, Hairy Crabweed

Fatoua villosa (Thunb.) Nakai

Moraceae (Fig Family)

▲ seedling

mature plants ▲▼

flower clusters in leaf axils ▲▼

▲ young plant with flower clusters in leaf axils

▲ flower cluster

Mulberry Weed: 

·         relatively new weed to U.S., (from Asia) but rapidly spreading—not particularly harmful, so far

·         alternate, heart-shaped to triangular leaves with slightly crenate (scalloped) margins

·         leaves and stems are hairy

·         looks very much like a young white mulberry seedling, but is hairy (white mulberry is not)

·         grows 6-30” tall in a pyramidal, branched shape in full to near full sun, but often less branched and lanky in shaded sites

·         flowers are in purplish-green rounded clusters in axils of leaves; starts flowering after 2-3 leaves formed

·         prefers moist, fertile soils; has spread with landscape/nursery plants

·         shade tolerance and abundant seed formation may make it a potential woodland invader, but it seems to prefer disturbed soils for establishment