Red Mulberry
ExplorePlants
Red Mulberry
morus rubra
The Red Mulberry tree has large, heart-shaped leaves and produces sweet berries that many animals love to eat! It's a great tree to find in forests and parks, especially when the berries are ripe and ready for picking.
Habitat: It thrives in rich, moist soils in forests, floodplains, and along riverbanks.
Appearance
The Red Mulberry is a medium-sized tree with large, dark green leaves that are often unlobed, lobed, or mitten-shaped. Its bark is reddish-brown, scaly, and ridged. The tree produces elongated, dark red to purplish-black berry-like fruits that resemble blackberries.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyMoraceaeGenusMorus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
1
Interesting facts
Berries ripen from green to white, then red, finally turning dark purple and sweet!
Its strong, durable wood was once used for fence posts, furniture, and other sturdy creations!
Red Mulberries can live over 125 years, often growing taller than a four-story building!
The milky sap from broken twigs was used by indigenous people to treat skin ailments!
Special abilities
Ability
Shape-Shifting Leaves
Red Mulberry has highly variable leaf shapes, from simple ovate to deeply lobed, helping it adapt to different light conditions.
Ability
Fast Forest Filler
Red Mulberry can grow quickly, helping it establish itself rapidly in disturbed forest gaps and clearings.
Ability
Berry Bonanza
Red Mulberry produces abundant, sweet fruits that provide crucial food for many birds and mammals, aiding its seed dispersal.
Ability
Rooted Resilience
Red Mulberry develops a deep root system that helps it withstand droughts and anchor firmly in floodplain habitats.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 1000-2000 cm
- Spread
- 800-1500 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
eaten by
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
eats berries, aids seed dispersal
eaten by
Virginia Opossum
Didelphis virginiana
eats berries, aids seed dispersal
eaten by
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
eats berries, aids seed dispersal
symbiotic with
Common mycorrhizal fungus
Glomus intraradices
enhances nutrient uptake for the tree
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Also known as
Black MulberryMorusRed Mulberry Tree
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Red Mulberry?
The easiest way to identify Red Mulberry is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Red Mulberry?
1000-2000 cm
How wide does Red Mulberry spread?
800-1500 cm
How big are the flowers on Red Mulberry?
0.5-1.5 cm
When does Red Mulberry bloom?
Spring
Is Red Mulberry edible?
Yes
Is Red Mulberry toxic?
Mild
What is Red Mulberry's lifecycle?
Perennial
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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Recent Snaps
Where to spot
Park30 sightings12 species
Georgia, US
Greensboro Commercial Historic District
You might spot Riley's 13-Year Cicada, Joro Spider, and Asian Lady Beetle.
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Park20 sightings9 species
Virginia, US
Levelle W. Dupell Park
You might spot Evergreen Bagworm Moth, Wild Indigos, and Silver Maple.
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Park45 sightings4 species
Virginia, US
Alabama Drive Park
You might spot Red Mulberry, Virginia Saxifrage, and Asters and Allies.
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