OF Ohio 



69 



RED MULBERRY 



Morus rubra, Linnaeus 



THE Red Mulberry, also known as Black Mulberry and 

 more frequently called "Mulberry," came into the lime- 

 light in the early days of American history. The early pio- 

 neers were inspired with the false hope that it was a new 

 source of food for the silkworm. The outcome was alto- 

 gether disappointing. 



The leaves are simple, 

 alternate, 3 to 5 inches 

 long, roundish, short-tip- 

 ped, deep green and with 

 deeply sunken veins on 

 upper surface. Some leaves 

 are lobed and resemble an 

 ordinary mitten. The leaf- 

 stalks give a milky secre- 

 tion upon being squeezed. 



The flowers are of two 

 kinds. Pollen-bearing and 

 seed-producing occur in 

 short drooping tassels. 



The fruit is a soft, 

 fleshy, dark red to black 

 aggregation of m a n y - 

 seeded berries. They are 

 sweet, juicy, and greatly 

 relished by man, birds, and various other animals. 



The bark is rather thin, dark, grayish-brown, begins to 

 roughen about the third year, peels off in thin scales. The 

 twigs are smooth, clean, light greenish-brown, and bear oval, 

 hollowed-out leaf-scars dotted with numerous bundle-scars. 

 The bowl-shaped leaf-scars are helpful in recognizing this 

 tree in winter. 



The wood is soft, light, not strong, orange yellow to 

 brown. It is durable in contact with soil, and used chiefly 

 for fence posts. 



The Red Mulberry, which rarely exceeds 50 feet in 

 height and 2 feet in diameter, is the only mulberry native 

 to North America. It grows from Massachusetts west to 

 Kansas and south to Texas and Florida. It occurs locally 

 throughout Ohio, being common in the southern and north- 

 western parts and becoming rare in the northern part of the 

 State. Rich moist soils of valleys and foothills is its favo- 

 rite home. The tree should be protected to insure a food 

 supply for birds. 



RED MULBERRY 



One-fourth natural size. 



Twig section, natural size. Leaf-scar, 



enlarged. 



