White or Silkworm Mulberry

Morus alba

There are two species of mulberry native to the U.S. and at least three introduced species. A native Arizona species, Morus microphylla, can be found growing along streams in southern Coconino and Yavapai counties south of Flagstaff.

White mulberry is medium-sized, with both male and female trees, up to 45 feet tall, with wide-spreading, round-topped crowns. The largest recorded tree in the U.S. is 59 feet tall and has a circumference of 24 feet, 4 inches. It is a favored food for silkworms in Japan, China, and other parts of Asia. The fruit is a favorite of birds and mammals and can be eaten fresh or cooked. The female trees produce prolific amounts of fruit that can be a nuisance in the landscape setting. Male trees produce pollen that can cause allergic reactions in many people.

For more information on White or Silkworm Mulberry, visit the links below:

Virginia Tech University Department of Forestry
Perdue University
UConn Plant Database