URTICACEAE 
Red Mulberry 
Morus rubra L. 
HABIT.—A small tree 20-30 feet high, with a short trunk 
10-15 inches in diameter; forming a dense, round-topped crown 
of stout, spreading branches and more or less zigzag, slender 
branchlets. 
LEAVES.—Alternate, simple. 3-5 inches long, nearly as 
broad; outline variable, ovate to semiorbicular, often 3-5-lobed; 
coarsely serrate; thin; dark blue-green and smooth or rough 
above, pale and more or less downy beneath; petioles 1-z inches 
long, smooth, exuding a milky juice when cut. 
FLOWERS.—May, with the leaves; monoecious’ or 
dioecious ; the staminate in dense spikes 1-2 inches long, on short, 
hairy peduncles; the pistillate in dense spikes about 1 inch long, 
on short, hairy peduncles; calyx 4-lobed, hairy; corolla o; 
stamens 4, with green anthers; stigmas 2, spreading. 
FRUIT.—July; 1 inch long; consisting of drupes about 
Yo inch long, each inclosed in a thickened, fleshy calyx; berry- 
like; bright red at first, finally blackish; sweet, juicy, edible. 
WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud absent; lateral buds ovoid, 
abruptly pointed, %4 inch long, lustrous, light brown. 
BARK.—Twigs greenish and more or less downy, becoming 
smooth and brownish; trunk dark brown tinged with red and 
more or less furrowed. 
WOOD.—Light, soft, weak, rather tough, coarse-grained, 
very durable, pale orange, with thick, lighter colored sapwood. 
DISTRIBUTION.—Southern portion of the Lower Pen- 
insula, as far north as the Muskegon river. 
HABITAT.—Prefers rich soil in ‘river-bottoms. 
NOTES.—Easily transplanted. Grows rapidly in good, moist 
soil. 
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