NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Morus rubra

Red Mulberry, Common Mulberry

Scientific Name:	Morus rubra
Genus:	Morus
Species Epithet:	rubra
Common Name:	Red Mulberry, Common Mulberry
Plant Type	Tree
Life Cycle	Perennial
Plant Family	Moraceae (Mulberry Family)
Native/Alien:	NC Native
Invasive Status:	^(*Key)
Size:	36-72 ft.
Bloom Color(s):	Yellow, Green
Light:	Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day
Soil Moisture:	Moist
Bloom Time:	April, May
Growing Area:	Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain
Habitat Description:	Bottomland forests, mesic slopes, disturbed areas, suburban woodlands. Common over nearly all of the state, but scarce in far eastern counties and in higher mountains.
Leaf Arrangement:	Alternate
Leaf Retention:	Deciduous
Leaf Type:	Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like
Leaf Form:	Simple
Life Cycle:	Perennial
Wildlife Value:	Highest Wildlife Value
Landscape Value:	Suitable for home landscapes
State Rank:	S5: Secure ^(*Key)
Global Rank:	G5 - Secure ^(*Key)
Notes:	Mostly dioecious: need a male pollinator to get female fruit set. Best for natural areas.
A small to medium deciduous tree, about 50-60 feet tall. New River State Park, Ashe Co., NC Annkatrin Rose
Large leaves, some with lobes. New River State Park, Ashe Co., NC Annkatrin Rose
Large, serrated leaves are broadly cordate and distinctively veined. Leaves are also pubescent below and scabrous above which distinguishes it from the non-native invasive Morus alba. New River State Park, Ashe Co., NC Annkatrin Rose
The bark of mature trees is grayish brown or reddish brown, consisting of narrow irregular strips that are separated by very shallow furrows. New River State Park, Ashe Co., NC Annkatrin Rose
This tree has mainly unlobed leaves. Also, the leaf bases are not asymmetrical as with Tilia americana which has rather large similar shaped leaves, but never with lobes. Orange County, NC Bettina Darveaux
Links:	USDA PLANTS Database Record