86 



MORUS 



various conserves and drinks. So far as I am aware, the mulberry has never 

 produced any variation from the type a very unusual circumstance in a tree 

 so long cultivated. 



M. RUBRA, LinncZHS. RED. MULBERRY. 



A deciduous tree, 40 to over 60 ft. high in a wild state, with a trunk 3 or 4 

 ft. in diameter. Leaves broadly ovate to roundish, heart-shaped at the base, 

 slender-pointed, occasionally two- or three-lobed, toothed, 3 to 5 (occasionally 

 7 or 8) ins. long, three-fourths to about as much wide ; somewhat rough above 



MORUS NIOBA. 



with scattered stiff hairs, or the remains of them, very downy beneath ; stalks 

 ^ to I in. long. Male spikes I to 2 ins. in length, slender and catkin-like ; 

 females I in. long ; both downy. Fruit cluster I to i^ ins. long, cylindrical ; 

 at first red, then dark purple ; sweet. 



Native of the eastern and Central United States ; introduced in 1629. In 

 my experience this mulberry thrives the worst of those here mentioned. At 

 Kew it always has an unhappy appearance, and I do not know of good trees 

 elsewhere. Probably our climate is as unsuited for it as for several other 

 trees from the same region. In the United States it prqduces a light, tough, 

 durable timber, and, according to Sargent, is planted in the south States for 



