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 MulberryHow 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
To ensure optimal growth, the Red Mulberry prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
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
