Red Mulberry

Morus rubra

Moraceae (The Fig Family)

▲ Young tree in Stone County, MO

▲▼ leaves showing polymorphic shapes (multiple shapes)

▲▼ leaves showing polymorphic shapes (multiple shapes)

▲ leaves showing polymorphic shapes (multiple shapes)

▲ good yellow fall color on some trees

▲ branches, leaf undersides on medium-sized, mature tree

Location near Missouri State University campus:  corner of Bennett and Holland, at southwest corner of Phelps Grove Park; also along wooded area just west of south parking area at the Botanical Center

Morus rubra: Red Mulberry

·         leaves alternate, simple, deciduous, polymorphic in general ovate shape, but sometimes with 2-5 lobes, serrate margins; leaves 3-5 inches long and 2/3 as wide, with elongated, pointed tip; rough-textured to smooth green above and green on undersides, with 1 inch long petioles

·         dioecious, with  male and female flowers on separate trees

·         stems tan or gray; glabrous; often with white sap when cut

·         bark gray-brown or gray on young branches, gray and furrowed with age

·         grows 40-70 feet tall and 2/3 to equally wide, with open, rounded canopy

·         has red to purple clustered, blackberry-like fruit that are usually more flavorful than white mulberry

·         prefers full sun to part shade, and does best in fertile, moist, well-drained soil

·         medium growth rate

·         native to Missouri