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mulberry, wild

Member profile details

PLANT PROFILE SHEET PDF

http://leafnetworkaz.org:80/resources/PLANT%20PROFILES/Mulberry_wild_profile.pdf

IDENTIFICATION

Common Name

mulberry, wild

Photo #1

Scientific Name

Morus celtidifolia Kunth; Morus microphylla Buckley

Family

Moraceae

Spanish Name

mora

Species Description

Woody shrub or small tree with several branches emerging from the root base. Grey, fissured, scaly bark. Leaves ovate with serrated margins, sometimes 3-5 lobed. Green and red-tinged flowers appear in April and May. Fruit is composed of multiple compressed drupes.

NATURAL / CULTURAL HISTORY

AZ Native or Introduced

Native of Arizona

Natural Range

Southwestern U.S. to Texas and Oklahoma and northern Mexico

Natural Habitat

Dry canyons and slopes, arroyos, Sonoran and Chihuahuan desert scrub, grassland, oak and pine woodland, occasional in tropical deciduous forest.

Cultural-Historic Notes

Wild mulberries were utilized by Indigenous peoples throughout its range. Formerly cultivated for its edible fruit by the North American Indians.

GROWTH FORM & RATE

Growth Form

Tree
Shrub

Tree or Understory

Tree

Other Growth Characteristics

Seasonally Deciduous

Growth Rate

Moderate

Canopy Diameter

15-30 feet

Tree Height

20 feet

Lifespan

Unknown

Chill Hours

Unknown

Freeze Tolerance

Cold-hardy

Site, Micro-Climate, and Growing Considerations

Prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade.

Elevation Range

600-7200 ft

Appropriate Arizona Elevation Categories

HIGH MOUNTAIN: Flagstaff - USDA Zone 6b (-5ºF-0ºF)
HIGH PLATEAU, MOUNTAIN: Prescott, Tuba City, Winslow, Page - USDA Zones 7a-7b (0ºF-10ºF)
HIGH DESERT: Sierra Vista, Kingman, Globe, Wilcox - USDA Zones 8a-8b (10-20ºF)
MID DESERT: Tucson, Ajo, Safford, Casa Grande - USDA Zones 9a-9b (20-30ºF)

USDA Interactive Plant Zone Map for Arizona

USDA Interactive Plant Zone Map for Arizona

WATER

Relative Plant Water Use

Medium: 20-35 inches / year

Post-Establishment Irrigation Needs

1 X Month in Growing Season

CARE

Pollination

Wind pollinated. Self-fertile but cross pollination provides greater yields.

Soils

Mulberry prefers moist, well drained soils that can be sandy to heavy clay.

Propagation

Propagated from seeds or cuttings. The seed germinates best if given 2 - 3 months cold stratification. Sow the seed as soon as it is ripe if possible, otherwise in February in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in the first spring, though it sometimes takes another 12 months. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Plant out in spring.

Pest & Disease Control

None known

Pruning Notes

No special pruning techniques required. Remove dead and over-crowded branches.

HARVEST & PROCESSING

Edible Parts

Harvest August-September. Fruits are similar to cultivated mulberries but much smaller, blackish at maturity, fleshy and tasty.

Harvest Months

June
July
August
September

Harvest and Processing Guide

Harvest and Processing Guide

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PO Box 65122, Phoenix, Arizona 85082-5122

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

This website and other LEAF Network products shown here was prepared under the Diverse Urban Forest grant, WCG 14-501, administered by the Arizona Community Tree Council. Funds for this project were provided by the Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program administered through Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management – Urban and Community Forestry Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. In accordance with Federal law and USDA policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability (Not all prohibited basis applies to all programs). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.