Synonym(s): Morus alba L. var. multicaulis,
Morus alba L. var. tatarica, Morus tatarica
Family: Moraceae
Duration and Habit: Perennial Shrub
A small, 30-50 ft. (9.1-15.2 m) tall, deciduous tree. Alternate leaves are polymorphic, 2-8 in. (5.1-20.3 cm) long and shiny with blunt teeth and heart-shaped bases. Young bark, the bark along the roots, and the inner bark along the trunk are often bright orange in color. Older bark is gray with narrow, irregular fissures. Flowering occurs in April. Plants are normally dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants). Male flowers are small, green and occur in 1-2 in. (2.5-5.1 cm) long catkins. Female flowers are inconspicuous and crowded in short spikes. White mulberry is very similar to the native red mulberry (Morus rubra L.), but may be distinguished by the leaves. White mulberry leaves have glossy surfaces whereas the leaves of red mulberry do not.
Native Lookalikes: Most closely resembles the Red Mulberry (Morus rubra) but the leaves are different. Morus alba leaves have glossy surfaces whereas the leaves of Morus rubra do not.
Red Mulberry (Morus rubra)
Ecological Threat: Displaces native species, possibly hybridizing with and transmitting a root disease to the native red mulberry.
Biology & Spread: The seeds are spread by wildlife that feed on the fruits. It expands locally by producing new plants from its roots.
History: White mulberry is native to Asia and was introduced in colonial times as a food source for silkworms.
U.S. Habitat: White mulberry occurs naturally in sparse forests on hillsides at a wide range of elevations. It grows in part shade to full sun. It can grow in clay, loam, sand, acidic, alkaline, and welldrained soils. It tolerates extended flooding or droughty conditions.
U.S. Nativity: Introduced
Native Origin: Asia
U.S. Present: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Distribution in Texas: Reported throughout Texas.
Invaders of Texas Map: Morus alba
EDDMapS: Morus alba
USDA Plants Texas County Map: Morus alba
List All Observations of Morus alba reported by Citizen Scientists
Most closely resembles the Red Mulberry (Morus rubra) but the leaves are different. Morus alba leaves have glossy surfaces whereas the leaves of Morus rubra do not.
A wide variety of native trees are available as substitutes for white mulberry, including:
Manual: Hand pull seedlings, cut trees, grind stumps, girdle large trees.
Chemical: Paint stumps with glyphosate
Bugwood Network: invasive.org
https://www.invasive.org/alien/pubs/midatlantic/moal.htm
USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Staff, Newtown Square, PA.: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/invasive_plants
https://www.eddmaps.org/species/subject.cfm?sub=6050
Google Search: Morus alba
Google Images: Morus alba
NatureServe Explorer: Morus alba
USDA Plants: Morus alba
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States: Morus alba
Bugwood Network Images: Morus alba