The Trees of Texas 



91 



the pistillate, ovate, shorter. The fruit is white, or pinkish,, 

 sweet, edible, insipid. 



Introduced from Europe, where the leaves are used for 

 feeding the silk worm. It has been extensively planted for 

 ornament, and thrives best in rich moist soil. It grows well, 

 however, on the dry prairies. 



3. Moms microphylla Buckley. Texan Mulberry. A small 

 tree or shrub sometimes 30 high and 12'-14' in diameter 

 with lender branches. The bark is smooth, thin, %' thick 

 or less, light gray, fissured with surface scales. Leaves ovate r 



Fig. 27. Morns microphylla. 



rounded or sharp-pointed at the apex, serrate, heart-shaped 

 at base, occasionally lobed, thin and firm, dark green, rough- 

 ened above, paler and hairy along the midribs below, 1%'' 

 long, 3,4 ' wide. Flowers are borne in short spikes. Fruit dark 

 purple to black with light brown, thick walled seeds, edible. 

 Texas to Arizona and Mexico. In Texas it occurs princi- 

 pally near the Mexican border. 



