Persian mulberry, Black mulberry
Morus nigra

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

A deciduous tree. It is a medium sized tree which grows 10-12 m high. The trunk is short and then branches widely. It has an extensive root system. The bark is dark brown. The young branches are hairy. The leaf stalk is 1.5-2.5 cm long. The leaf blade is oval and 6-12 cm long by 7-11 cm wide. The flowers are small and greenish. The fruit is blackish purple when mature. It is 2-2.5 cm long by 1.5-2.5 cm wide.

There are about 16 Morus species.

Where it is found

It grows in temperate Asia. It will grow on most types of soils. The soils need to be well-drained. The black mulberry will grow in colder places than the white mulberry. In Papua New Guinea it grows best between 800-2,200 m above sea level. Hobart Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Bahrain, Balkans, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Cape Verde, Caucasus, Central Asia, China (country/location of origin), Croatia, Cuba, Denmark, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Himalayas, India, Indonesia, Iran (country/location of origin), Italy, Japan (country/location of origin), Macedonia, Malawi, Malta, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Nepal, North America, Northeastern India, NW India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Puerto Rico, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Serbia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, St Helena, Sweden, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, West Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten. They can be eaten raw or preserved. They can be used for jams, jellies, and drinks. They fruit can be dried and stored. The leaves are used for sarma in Turkey. They are rolled around a filling of rice or minced meat.

They are sold in local markets. It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed but such trees are very slow to grow and produce. It is grown by cuttings of 1-2 year old wood. Larger cuttings make faster growth. Cuttings are taken while trees are dormant in winter. Cuttings should be 1.5-2.5 cm across and 25-35 cm long. They need to be planted in sandy soil to half their depth. Grafted plants can also be used.

By putting a cloth under the tree and shaking the branches the fully ripe fruit fall.

Its other names

Local names

Amora-do-mato, Amora-preta, Amoreira nigra, Crna murva, Doce, Dudinki, Dut, Eksi karadut, Gelso, Haijampet, Hei sang, Kala toot, Kalo tut, Karadut, Ketsakhragu, Khartuta, Khasakay, Kimbu kafal, Korow, Kuro guwa, Mapulesi, Marash, Marosh, Matibeni, Morera negra, Moro nero, Murbei hitam, Murier noir, Murva divlja, Shahtute, Shah-tut, Sicameno mavro, Teeth, Toor toth, Thor teeth, Tor thooth, Tor toot, Turteet, Tuye

Synonyms

See Streblus;