Morus alba
White mulberry
Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Morus alba.
Plant Properties
Growth conditions
Moist
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Partial shade, Full sun
Usage properties
Fruit, Inner bark, Leaves, Manna
Biomass production, Dye, Fibre, Wood, Carbon farming
Description
Fruit - raw. The fruit has a sweet taste, but is usually tasteless. The fruits of the cultivar 'Pendulum' that were tasted in Kew in July 1994 had a pleasant flavor. When the fruit is dried, it acquires a richer taste and can be used as a substitute for raisins. The fruit is up to 25 mm long. Note: please read the information on toxicity above. Young leaves and shoots can be boiled. In times of famine, they can serve as an alternative food source. The leaves are a good vegetable, rich in carotene and calcium. Protein preparations made from young mulberry leaves are an excellent supplement to low-protein diets. The leaves also contain 10% tannin. The bark can be burned and ground into a meal, which can then be used as a thickening agent in soups, or mixed with grains when making bread. The tree could provide an edible basket. Young shoots can serve as a tea substitute.