MORACEiE 255 



The "fruit" of the mulberry is a collection of one-seeded 

 fruits developed from a number of separate flowers in a dense 

 inflorescence, while the raspberry "fruit" represents the 

 matured ovaries of a number of pistils belonging to a single 

 flower. 



Geographical. — The genus Moms is a native of eastern North America, 

 higher altitudes in Mexico, Central America, "Western South America, Asia, 

 Japan, and the Indian Archipelago. 



Key to Principal Species of Genus Morus 



Leaves smooth beneath, sometimes slightly hairy on the veins. 



Fruit white or pinkish; leaves becoming light green above. Morns alba 



(white mulberry). 

 Fruit black; leaves becoming dark green and shining above, Morus nigra 

 (black mulberry). 

 Leaves hairy beneath; fruit red or purplish, Morus rubra (red mulberry), 



MORUS ALBA (White Mulberry) 



Description. — This is a low-branched tree, sometimes 

 reaching a diameter of 2 feet. The slender, round twigs are 

 at first hairy, later becoming light grayish brown. The leaves 

 are light green, with prominent whitish veins, and variously 

 lobed or divided. The staminate inflorescences are i to 2 

 centimeters long, slender and drooping. The pistillate ones 

 are from ^ to i centimeter long. The fruit is white or pinkish 

 in color, i to 2 centimeters long, and poor in quality. 



Geographical. — The white mulberry is a native of Asia, probably of China. 

 It has spread throughout Europe and has also become naturalized in eastern 

 United States. 



Types and Varieties. — ^Economic Importance. — There are 

 a number of types and varieties of the white . mulberry. 

 According to L. H. Bailey, the following are forms or off- 

 shoots of Morus alba: Morus alba var. tartarica (Russian mul- 

 berry) and Morus alba var. venosa. The Russian mulberry 



