Morus rubra aka Red Mulberry

Taxonomy

Morus rubra, commonly known as the red mulberry, is a species of mulberry native to eastern and central North America, found from Ontario, Minnesota, and Vermont south to southern Florida, and west as far as southeastern South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and central Texas. Common in the United States, it is listed as an endangered species in Canada, and is susceptible to hybridization with the invasive white mulberry (M. alba), introduced from Asia. It is a native woodland tree often growing 40 to 60 feet tall, with dark green leaves that turn a golden yellow and late into autumn. The deep purple fruits of the female tree are sweet and relished by wildlife but can be quite messy. Morus rubra 'Townsend' is more cold hardy than black mulberry and can have both edible and ornamental features, however fruit dropping on vehicles and driveways can stain and be messy. This species is native to the Chicago region according to Swink and Wilhelm's Plants of the Chicago Region, with updates made according to current research.

Common names

Red Mulberry, Mulberry, Mrier Rouge (Fr), American Mulberry

How to care for Red Mulberry

Difficulty

Caring for Red Mulberry is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Red Mulberry should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Red Mulberry loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Red Mulberry requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Mulberry is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

Red Mulberry is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the Red Mulberry as it grows vertically.

Region of origin

Red Mulberry’s native range is Eastern N. America - Quebec to Florida, west to Texas and South Dakota.


More info:
Wikipedia