Mulberry family, Moraceae
The Mulberry Tree is an introduced tree in the Czech Republic. The most commonly grown species are the White Mulberry Tree or the Black Mulberry Tree. In the parks of Hradec Králové, the individuals most likely grown are those that were created by grafting a Black Mulberry Tree or a Red Mulberry Tree onto a stock of the White Mulberry Tree.
White Mulberry, Morus alba
Origin: China, Korea
Habitat in the original area: open forests and slopes from lowlands to the mountains
Habitus: A shrub or tree up to 17 metres tall. The crown is spherical. The bark of the trunk is grey-brown.
Leaf: The leaves are from an elliptical to a round shape, and they are roughly serrated on the edge. The blade is undivided or irregularly cut, blunt or pointed at the top. Tufts of trichomes grow on the underside near the veins.
Bloom, fruit: It blooms from May to June. The ripe fruits are of various colours (from white to dark purple). Mulberries are sweet.
Interesting fact: The specimens grown in this location are probably hybrids of white and black mulberry trees, as they carry characteristics of both the species.
Black Mulberry, Morus nigra
Origin: western Asia
Habitat in the original area: warm, sunny places
Habitus: A tree with a broad crown and branches often bent to the ground. It grows to the height of about 10 metres. Its bark is brown and the shoots are covered with fine trichomes.
Leaf: The ovate leaves have a heart-shaped base, are roughly serrated on the edge and pointed at the top. They are usually undivided, but can also be divided into several lobes. They are rough on the face, and with tufts of trichomes near the veins on the back side.
Bloom, fruit: It blooms in May in unisexual catkins. The ripe fruits are from dark red to black in colour and are sweet and sour. They can have a dyeing effect when crushed.
Interesting fact: Mulberries are grown as fruit trees. Their fruits can be used to make jams, wine, or as additives to salads. The leaves are consumed by the silkworm, a butterfly known for its natural silk.
