Mongolian mulberry, Meng sang, Ilama
Morus mongolica
Family: Moraceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. The bark is greyish brown and has furrows along it. The young branches are dark red. Old branches are greyish black. The leaf blade is oval and 8-15 cm long by 5-8 cm wide. It is papery. The base is heart shaped and their are triangular teeth along the edge. There can be long spines near the tip. The male catkins are about 3 cm long. The female catkins are 1-1.5 cm long. Male flowers are dark yellow. The fruit is red to purple when mature. Several varieties have been described. They vary on the shape of the leaf blade.
There are about 16 Morus species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows on mountain slopes and in high mountain forest between 500-3500 m altitude in N China. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Ciilu