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RED MULBERRY (Morus rubra L.) 



THE red mulberry occurs throughout the State, 

 It prefers the rich soils of the lower and middle 

 districts, but is nowhere abundant. It is commonly 

 called mulberry as there are no other native species. 

 The white mulberry and paper mulberry, which are 

 sometimes found in waste places, are introduced 

 species which have to some extent become natural- 



EED MULBBKKT 

 Twig, two-thirds natural size. Leaf, one-third natural size. 



ized. The red mulberry is a small tree, rarely 50 

 feet high and 2 feet in diameter, often growing in 

 the shade of larger trees. 



The bark is rather thin, dark grayish brown, peel- 

 ing off in long narrow flakes. 



The leaves are alternate, thin, rounded or some- 

 what heart-shaped, toothed, pointed, 3 to 5 inches 

 long, rough hairy above and soft hairy beneath. 

 Often some of the leaves, especially on young trees 

 and thrifty shoots, are mitten-shaped or variously 

 lobed. 



The flowers are of two kinds, on the same or dif- 

 ferent trees, in long drooping catkins, the female 

 catkins shorter, appearing with the leaves. The 

 fruit is dark red or black, and resembles a black- 

 berry ; however, a stalk extends through it centrally, 

 and it is longer and narrower. The fruit is sweet 

 and edible and greatly relished by birds and various 

 animals. 



The wood is rather light, soft, not strong, light 

 orange-yellow, very durable in contact with the soil. 

 It is chiefly used for fence posts. The tree might be 

 planted for this purpose and to furnish food for 

 birds. 



61 



