Himalayan mulberry
Morus serrata

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows to about 20 m high. It loses its leaves during the year. The bark is dark grey, The bark peels off in irregular woody scales. The small branches are densely hairy. The leaf stalk is 4-6 cm long. The leaves are variable. They are broadly oval. They taper to the tip. They are 10-14 cm long by 6-10 cm wide. They are deeply 3-5 lobed. (Unlobed ?) They have coarse sharp teeth around the edge. The flowers are greenish. The fruit is dry and pink or purple when ripe.

There are about 16 Morus species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate to subtropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 1500-2400 m altitude. It grows in open places around villages. In China it grows in forests at about 2300 m in Xizang.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, China, Himalayas, India, Nepal, Pakistan

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are edible. They are eaten raw.

The fruit are popular with children.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed or from root offshoots.

Its other names

Local names

Dieng-soh-tungkhar, Himu, Ji long sang, Kaimu, Karum, Kimbu, Kimu, Karttut, Kinu, Kruum, Tut

Synonyms

Morus alba var. serrata (Roxb.) Bureau; Morus gyirongensis S.S.Chang; Morus pabularia Decaisne; See Streblus