Catherine Herms,
Ohio State Weed Lab Archive, The Ohio State University
Family: Moraceae
Synonym(s):
Morus alba L. var. multicaulis,
Morus alba L. var. tatarica, Morus tatarica
Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Listed by:
Invasive Plant Atlas of the US: 1
Federal Noxious Weed: 0
TDA Noxious Weed: 0
TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species: 0
Description: 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.
History: White mulberry is native to Asia and was introduced in colonial times as a food source for silkworms.
Biology & Spread: The seeds are spread by wildlife that feed on the fruits. It expands locally by producing new plants from its roots.
Ecological Threat: Displaces native species, possibly hybridizing with and transmitting a root disease to the native red mulberry.
US 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.
Distribution
US Nativity: Introduced
Native Origin: Asia
US States: 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
Resembles/Alternatives: 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:
Management:
Manual: Hand pull seedlings, cut trees, grind stumps, girdle large trees.
Chemical: Paint stumps with glyphosate
USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.
Listing Source
Texas Department ofAgriculture Noxious Plant List
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Prohibited Exotic Species
Invaders Program
Federal Noxious Weed
Union of Concerned Scientists
United States Forest Service Southern Research Station
Text References
Data Source
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
Last Updated: 2024-02-05 by ARMO, TISI