50 Trees with Simple Leaves. [A n 



Genus MORUS, L. (Mulberry.) 



Fig. 25. — Red Mulberry. M. rubra, L. 



Leaves, simple ; alternate ; EDGE coarsely and some- 

 what irregularly toothed ; or, at times, unequally 

 and very variously two- to three-lobed. 



Outline, egg-shape. Apex, long pointed (when there are 

 side lobes their ends may be rounded). Base, heart- 

 shaped, and more or less one-sided. 



Leaf, three to seven inches long, rather thin, rough above 

 and downy below, sometimes becoming very smooth. 

 The ribs are very distinct, and whitish below. 



Bark, grayish, and much broken. 



Berries, about the size and shape of small blackberries. 

 When ripe they are very dark purple (nearly black), 

 juicy, and sweet. July. 



Found, from Western New England, westward and south- 

 ward. 



A tree fifteen to twenty-five feet high ; in the Middle 

 and Western States much larger. It is most common 

 and reaches its finest growth along- the lower Ohio and 

 the Mississippi rivers. Its wood is valuable, light, and 

 soft, but very durable in contact with the ground. 



The White Mulberry [M. alba] is sometimes found 

 around old houses and in fields. It was introduced from 

 China, and was formerly cultivated as food for silk-worms. 

 Its leaves resemble those of the Red Mulberry in shape, 

 but are smooth and shining:. 



