Black Mulberry (Morus nigra) is a deciduous tree or large shrub prized for its juicy, sweet-tart black fruits and ornamental appeal. Here's a concise overview:
🌳 Black Mulberry (Morus nigra) Overview
Common Name: Black Mulberry
Scientific Name: Morus nigra
Family: Moraceae
Type: Deciduous tree/shrub
Origin: Native to western Asia; widely cultivated in Europe and the Middle East.
🌿 Description
Height/Spread: Typically 30–40 feet tall, with a wide-spreading crown.
Leaves: Broad, heart-shaped, rough-textured leaves; can be lobed or unlobed.
Bark: Dark and deeply fissured with age.
Lifespan: Can live for several hundred years with proper care.
🍇 Fruit
Color: Dark purple to nearly black when ripe.
Taste: Rich, sweet, and tangy—often considered the best-tasting mulberry species.
Uses: Fresh eating, jams, wines, syrups, desserts.
Harvest Time: Mid to late summer.
🌼 Flowers
Type: Small, greenish, inconspicuous flowers.
Pollination: Usually self-fertile; wind or insect-pollinated.
🌱 Growing Conditions
Hardiness Zones: USDA 5–9
Sun: Full sun for best fruiting
Soil: Prefers deep, well-drained loam, but tolerates various soils
Water: Moderate water needs; drought-tolerant once established
🌳 Landscape & Cultivation Tips
Best planted in an area where fallen fruit won’t stain sidewalks or patios
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Prune to shape and encourage airflow, but avoid heavy pruning (it bleeds sap).
Protect young trees from strong winds and frost.
⚠️ Notes
Not to be confused with Morus alba (white mulberry), which has inferior fruit but faster growth.
Fruits are highly perishable—best consumed or preserved quickly after harvest.
