Botanical Classification of Mulberry
|
Kingdom |
Plantae |
|
Division |
Magnoliophyta |
|
Class |
Magnoliopsida (Dicots) |
|
Order |
Rosales |
|
Family |
Moraceae (Mulberry family) |
|
Genus |
Morus |
|
Species |
Several, including Morus alba (white mulberry), M. nigra (black mulberry), M. rubra (red mulberry) |
Botanical Description of Mulberry Plant
|
Roots |
Fibrous root
system, Spreading
laterally for water and nutrient uptake. |
|
Stem |
Single,
upright main trunk with a smooth, grayish-brown bark. Branches
become rougher with age. |
|
Leaves |
Deciduous,
lobed with serrated edges. Size and shape
can vary depending on species (white mulberry leaves have deeper lobes than
red or black mulberry). |
|
Flower |
Small,
greenish-yellow, inconspicuous flowers. Monoecious
(separate male and female flowers on the same plant). Wind-pollinated. |
|
Fruit |
Multiple fused
drupelets (fleshy single-seeded fruits) forming a fleshy, elongated aggregate
fruit. Color varies
by species (white, black, or red) and turns sweet and juicy when ripe. |
