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Morus alba

L. (1753)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Rosales Family: Moraceae Genus: Morus

mulberry, white mulberry

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Shrubs or small trees up to 7 m tall, in cultivation sometimes larger.

Stems: Branches pubescent when young, soon glabrate.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate. Blades narrowly to broadly ovate, 5–18 cm long, 2–10 cm wide. Apex acute to acuminate. Base rounded to cordate. Surfaces sparsely pubescent at least on lower surfaces along principal veins. Margins coarsely serrate. Petioles 1–3 cm long. Stipules lanceolate, deciduous.

Flowers: Flowers in axillary, pedunculate, pendulous spikes; staminate spikes 10–20 mm long; pistillate spikes 5–10 mm long. Flowers small, unisexual, actinomorphic. Calyx of 4 sepals, connate at base, in fruit becoming thickened, fleshy, enveloping the drupe, the sepals of adjacent flowers joined into a syncarp. Corolla (petals) absent. Stamens 4, absent in pistillate flowers; filaments inflexed in bud. Ovary superior, 2-celled, only 1 cell developing, pistillode present in staminate flowers; style deeply 2-lobed.

Fruit: Syncarps white; pinkish; or purple; 1–2.5 cm long; sweet but insipid; drupes with crustaceous endocarp. Seeds ca. 1–2 mm long; compressed.

Ploidy: 2n = 14; 28; 42

Habitat: Mesic; disturbed sites; especially in gulches.

Elevation Range: 150–1,200 m.

Historical Distribution

Synonyms (100)

Morus alba f. macrophylla (Moretti) C.K.Schneid. (1904)
Morus alba f. nigrobacca Moldenke (1944)
Morus alba f. pendula (Risso) Dippel (1892)
Morus alba f. pyramidalis (Ser.) Rehder (1949)
Morus alba f. skeletoniana (C.K.Schneid.) Rehder (1949)
Morus alba f. tatarica (L.) Ser. (1855)
Morus alba f. venosa (Delile) Schelle (1903)
Morus alba subsp. tartarica
Morus alba subvar. colombassa (Ser.) Bureau (1873)
Morus alba subvar. columbassetta (Ser.) Bureau (1873)
Morus alba subvar. macrophylla (Moretti) Bureau (1873)
Morus alba subvar. pumila (Balb.) Bureau (1873)
Morus alba subvar. rebalaira Bureau (1873)
Morus alba subvar. romana (Loudon) Bureau (1873)
Morus alba subvar. rosea (Ser.) Bureau (1873)
Morus alba subvar. tatarica (L.) Bureau (1873)
Morus alba subvar. tenuifolia (Ser.) Bureau (1873)
Morus alba subvar. tokwa Bureau (1873)
Morus alba var. arabica Bureau (1873)
Morus alba var. atropurpurea (Roxb.) Bureau (1873)
Morus alba var. chartacea Risso (1826)
Morus alba var. colombassa Ser. (1855)
Morus alba var. columbassetta Ser. (1855)
Morus alba var. constantinopolitana (Poir.) Moretti (1841)
Morus alba var. elongata Risso (1826)
Morus alba var. emarginata Y.B.Wu (1994)
Morus alba var. erecta Risso (1826)
Morus alba var. fibrosa Ser. (1855)
Morus alba var. hispanica Risso (1826)
Morus alba var. integrifolia K.Koch (1849)
Morus alba var. italica (Poir.) Moretti (1841)
Morus alba var. laciniata Beissn. (1903)
Morus alba var. lhou Ser. (1855)
Morus alba var. macrophylla (Moretti) Moretti (1841)
Morus alba var. meridionalis Risso (1826)
Morus alba var. morettii Ser. (1855)
Morus alba var. multicaulis (Perr.) Loudon (1838)
Morus alba var. nana Ser. (1855)
Morus alba var. nervosa (Loudon) Moretti (1841)
Morus alba var. nigriformis Bureau (1873)
Morus alba var. nodosa Risso (1826)
Morus alba var. nodulosa Risso (1826)
Morus alba var. papyracea Risso (1826)
Morus alba var. parvifolia Risso (1826)
Morus alba var. pendula (Risso) Sudw. (1897)
Morus alba var. pumila (Balb.) Moretti (1841)
Morus alba var. pyramidalis Ser. (1855)
Morus alba var. romana Loudon (1838)
Morus alba var. rosea Ser. (1855)
Morus alba var. skeletoniana C.K.Schneid. (1904)
Morus alba var. tatarica (L.) Loudon (1838)
Morus alba var. tenuifolia Ser. (1855)
Morus alba var. venosa Delile (1826)
Morus alba var. vulgaris Risso (1826)
Morus alba var. vungeana Bureau (1873)
Morus alpina Raf. (1839)
Morus arabica (Bureau) Koidz. (1917)
Morus atropurpurea Roxb. (1832)
Morus bullata Balb. ex Loudon (1838)
Morus byzantina Sieber ex Steud. (1841)
Morus chinensis Lodd. ex Loudon (1838)
Morus colombassa Dippel (1892)
Morus constantinopolitana Poir. (1797)
Morus cucullata Bonaf. (1831)
Morus dulcis Royle (1839)
Morus fastigiata Dippel (1892)
Morus furcata Steud. (1841)
Morus guzziola Steud. (1841)
Morus heterophylla Loudon (1838)
Morus hispanica Loudon (1838)
Morus intermedia Perr. (1833)
Morus italica Poir. (1797)
Morus kaki Lavallée (1877)
Morus levasseurei Lavallée (1877)
Morus lhou (Ser.) Koidz. (1930)
Morus lucida Loudon (1838)
Morus macrophylla Moretti (1829)
Morus mariettii Steud. (1841)
Morus membranacea Steud. (1841)
Morus morettiana Lodd. ex Loudon (1838)
Morus morettii Audib. ex Bureau (1873)
Morus multicaulis (Perr.) Perr. (1825)
Morus multicaulis var. cucullata Ser. (1855)
Morus multicaulis var. planifolia Ser. (1855)
Morus nana Audib. ex Loisel. (1824)
Morus nervosa Loudon (1838)
Morus nigra (misapplied)
Morus nigriformis (Bureau) Koidz. (1917)
Morus patavia Audib. ex Dippel (1892)
Morus patavina Spach (1841)
Morus pumila Balb. (1813)
Morus romana Lodd. ex Spach (1841)
Morus serotina Mart. ex Bureau (1873)
Morus sinensis G.Don (1830)
Morus subalba Steud. (1841)
Morus tatarica L. (1753)
Morus tokwa (Bureau) K.Koch (1872)
Morus tortuosa Audib. ex Moretti (1841)
Morus venassainii Steud. (1841)
Morus venosa (Delile) Spach (1841)

Uses and Culture

USES

  • Yes

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Specimens

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Notes

  • (Hillebrand, 1888)
  • 150-1,200 m
  • Description digitized by Tim
  • Originally cultivated for the raising of silkworms and naturalized prior to 1871. It is not entirely clear if this species is actually naturalized or only persisting; thesituation should be investigated. Seemann (1852) mentions that he observed Morus indica L. on O'ahu in 1849; it was used in silkworm culture and eaten as a fruit. This observation is probably of the present species

Bibliography

Name Published In: Sp. Pl.: 986 (1753)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:926 (K, O, Mo, M, H); Staples & Herbst 2005:412 (DESCR)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Scientific Name Authorship Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Morus alba L. manoa valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN krauss, n.h. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 1/2/1934
2 Morus alba L. halemanu, kolbee, kauai PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o. degener, i. collector number: 271781 Kauai BISH 11/15/1960
3 Morus alba L. cultivated, located near hale manoa, manoa campus, university of hawaii Potted, in partial shade. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN herbst, d.r. collector number: 610 Oahu BISH 9/20/1967
4 Morus alba L. Hanapepe Valley Altitude 150 m along stream, in rocks PRESERVED_SPECIMEN MacDaniels, L.H. 854 Kauai BISH 2/2/1927
5 Morus alba L. waimea arboretum & botanical garden, 59-864 kam hwy. haleiwa, tropical fruit sec PRESERVED_SPECIMEN annable, c.r. collins, m. collector number: 3627 Oahu BISH 7/18/1997
6 Morus alba L. the residence of betty ho, 3785 old pali road, honolulu, hawaii PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lau, j. collector number: 2281 Maui BISH 4/21/1986
7 Morus alba L. east maui, upper ditch trail PRESERVED_SPECIMEN skottsberg, c.j.f. Maui BISH 10/13/1922
8 Morus alba L. Kauai PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lyon, H.L. s.n. Kauai BISH 3/28/1935
9 Morus alba L. Kokee. Halemanu Road just before the junction with the Waipoo Falls turnoff PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Flynn, T. 962 Kauai BISH 12/11/1984
10 Morus alba L. many shrubs about the old volcano house near the steam bath PRESERVED_SPECIMEN fagerlund, g.o. collector number: 845 Kauai BISH 9/13/1943
11 Morus alba L. east maui. waiale gulch, haleakala ranch PRESERVED_SPECIMEN starr, f. starr, k.; k.bro, c.javar collector number: 050816-4 Lanai BISH 8/16/2005
12 Morus alba L. East Maui, Upper ditch trail PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Skottsberg, C.J.F. s.n. Maui BISH 10/13/1922
13 Morus alba L. Cultivated, located near Hale Manoa, Manoa Campus, University of Hawaii PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Herbst, D.R. 610 Oahu BISH 9/20/1967
14 Morus alba L. kokee. halemanu road just before the junction with the waipoo falls turnoff PRESERVED_SPECIMEN flynn, t. collector number: 962 Kauai BISH 12/11/1984
15 Morus alba L. hanapepe valley altitude 150 m along stream, in rocks PRESERVED_SPECIMEN macdaniels, l.h. collector number: 854 Kauai BISH 2/2/1927
16 Morus alba L. east Maui, Hana District, western Keanae Valley, Pi`ina`au Stream. Vegetation: Metrosideros/Dicranopteris Lowland Wet Forest. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Oppenheimer, H.L. H101408 Maui BISH 10/23/2014
17 Morus alba L. pupukea ridge Forest, 2% slope, clay loam soil, warm temperature PRESERVED_SPECIMEN sanchez, s. collector number: ss 15 Molokai BISH 1/21/1986
18 Morus alba L. wailau trail PRESERVED_SPECIMEN forbes, c.n. collector number: 334.mo Molokai BISH 8/8/1912
19 Morus alba L. papaloa, wailua houselots, koki rd PRESERVED_SPECIMEN tangalin, n. collector number: 1334 Kauai BISH 5/30/2007
20 Morus alba L. Wainiha Valley Altitude 500 ft Moist open woods by trail PRESERVED_SPECIMEN St. John, H. 131947 Kauai BISH
21 Morus alba L. Manoa Valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Krauss, N.H. s.n. Oahu BISH 1/2/1934
22 Morus alba L. Honolulu, 42 Coelho Way PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Neal, M.C. 1236 Oahu BISH 5/8/1944
23 Morus alba L. along roadside near ulupalakua PRESERVED_SPECIMEN herbst, d.r. collector number: 818 Maui BISH 12/24/1967
24 Morus alba L. Honolulu, Koko Crater Cultivated PRESERVED_SPECIMEN C. R. Annable 3627 Oahu HAPI 7/18/1997
25 Morus alba L. kalalau valley. eastern most sub-valley. lower down valley near a hippy garden along the main stream, boardered by riparian forest. Along main stream, boardered by riparian forest dominated by Psidium guayava and Aleurites moluccana. With Indigofere suffruticosa, Citrus, Carica papaya, Aloe vera, Synmphytum officinale, Ageratum. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN tangalin, n. trauernicht, clay collector number: 1948 Kauai BISH 2/25/2010
26 Morus alba L. East Maui. Waiale Gulch, Haleakala Ranch Gulch. Vegetation: Eucalyptus sp., Myrsine lessertiana, Acacia mearnsii. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Starr, F. 050816-4 Maui BISH 8/16/2005
27 Morus alba L. maunahiuna, wainiha altitude 300m located in small pocket terrace in a clump- wet shady gulch PRESERVED_SPECIMEN earle, e. collector number: 44 Kauai BISH 9/10/1972
28 Morus alba L. trail up west banks of honomam PRESERVED_SPECIMEN forbes, c.n. collector number: 2597.m. Oahu BISH 6/23/1920
29 Morus alba L. Along roadside near Ulupalakua PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Herbst, D.R. 818 Maui BISH 12/24/1967
30 Morus alba L. honolulu, 42 coelho way PRESERVED_SPECIMEN neal, m.c. collector number: 1236 Kauai BISH 5/8/1944
31 Morus alba L. Planted near Farrington Hall on University of Hawaii campus PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Webster, G.L. 1328 Oahu BISH 3/21/1948
32 Morus alba L. Papaloa, Wailua Houselots, Koki Rd Naturalizing on the roadside possibly escaped from yard above rd and up hillside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tangalin, N. 1334 Kauai BISH 5/30/2007
33 Morus alba L. Pupukea [sp?] Ridge Forest, 2% slope, clay loam soil, warm temperature PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Sanchez, S. SS 15 Molokai BISH 1/21/1986
34 Morus alba L. Kalalau Valley. Eastern most sub-valley. Lower down Valley near a hippy garden along the main stream, boardered by riparian forest. Along main stream, boardered by riparian forest dominated by Psidium guayava and Aleurites moluccana. With Indigofere suffruticosa, Citrus, Carica papaya, Aloe vera, Synmphytum officinale, Ageratum. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tangalin, N. 1948 Kauai BISH 2/25/2010
35 Morus alba L. pacific tropical botanical garden PRESERVED_SPECIMEN flynn, t. collector number: 1519 Kauai BISH 2/19/1986
36 Morus alba L. Maunahiuna, Wainiha Altitude 300m located in small pocket terrace in a clump- wet shady gulch PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Earle, E. 44 Kauai BISH 9/10/1972
37 Morus alba L. Wailau Trail PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forbes, C.N. 334.Mo Molokai BISH 8/1/1912
38 Morus alba L. Halemanu, Kolbee, Kauai PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. 271781 Kauai BISH 11/15/1960
39 Morus alba L. Kalalau Valley. Eastern most sub-valley. Lower down Valley near a hippy garden along the main stream, boardered by riparian forest dominated by Psidium guayava and Aleurites moluccana. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Natalia Tangalin 1948 Kauai PTBG 2/24/2009
40 Morus alba L. waimea arboretum & botanical garden, 59-864 kamehameha hwy, tropical fruit section Cultivated PRESERVED_SPECIMEN c. r. annable 3627 NY 7/18/1997
41 Morus alba L. Waimea Arboretum & Botanical Garden, 59-864 Kamehameha Hwy, tropical fruit section Cultivated PRESERVED_SPECIMEN C. R. Annable 3627 NY 7/18/1997
42 Morus alba L. Lawai Valley. National Tropical Botanical Garden. Cultivated plants. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 1519 Kauai PTBG 2/19/1986
43 Morus alba L. Wilder Ave., Makiki, Honolulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN W. M. Bush 252 Oahu PTBG 6/22/1975
44 Morus alba L. Kokee, Halemanu Road just before the junction with the Waipoo Falls turnoff. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 962 Kauai PTBG 12/11/1984
45 Morus alba L. wainiha valley altitude 500 ft Moist open woods by trail PRESERVED_SPECIMEN st.john, h. fosberg, f.r. collector number: 131947 Kauai BISH
46 Morus alba L. kauai PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lyon, h.l. Kauai BISH 3/28/1935
47 Morus alba L. Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Flynn, T. 1519 Kauai BISH 2/19/1986
48 Morus alba L. trail up w bank of honomanu Cystocarpic specimens PRESERVED_SPECIMEN c. n. forbes 2597.m Maui BISH 6/23/1920
49 Morus alba L. wailua, wailua homesteads, puu pilo rd, across from junction of puu pilo place, on west side of road PRESERVED_SPECIMEN tangalin, n. collector number: 1291 Kauai BISH 5/29/2007
50 Morus alba L. Many shrubs about the old volcano house near the steam bath PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Fagerlund, G.O. 845 Hawaii BISH 9/13/1943
51 Morus alba L. Wailua, Wailua Homesteads, Puu Pilo Rd, across from junction of Puu Pilo Place, on West side of road. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Natalia Tangalin 1291 Kauai PTBG 5/29/2007
52 Morus alba L. Waimea Canyon, Napali-Kona Forest Reserve, Koaia Canyon, before Hipalau Degraded Diverse Mesic Forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Natalia Tangalin 3615 Kauai PTBG 1/2/2014
53 Morus alba L. Papaloa, Wailua Houselots, Koki Road. Naturalizing on the roadside. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Natalia Tangalin 1334 Kauai PTBG 5/30/2007
54 Morus alba L. Anahola, Anahola Road, Kuku Hale. Collected as part of KISC 2007 Early Detection Roadside Survey. KISC #20070531A012. Cultivated. Sprawling out onto the roadside. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Natalia Tangalin 1346 Kauai PTBG 5/31/2007
55 Morus alba L. Koaia Canyon, on trailside. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lynwood Hume 270 Kauai PTBG 7/26/1987
56 Morus alba L. Kokee, along Halemanu Road. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lynwood Hume 336 Kauai PTBG 4/17/1988
57 Morus alba L. East Maui, western Keanae Valley, Piinaau Stream. Metrosideros/Dicranopteris lowland wet forest. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hank Oppenheimer H101408 Maui PTBG 10/23/2014
58 Morus alba L. kalalau valley. eastern most sub-valley. lower down valley near a hippy garden along the main stream, boardered by riparian forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN n. tangalin 1948 BRU 2/25/2010
59 Morus alba L. pacific tropical botanical garden PRESERVED_SPECIMEN t. w. flynn 1519 Kauai US 2/19/1986
60 Morus alba L. Kalalau Valley, eastern most sub-valley, lower down valley near a hippy garden along the main stream. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tangalin, N.; Trauernicht, C. 1948 Kauai US 2/25/2010
61 Morus alba L. hanalei dist., waioli valley, upper part below and e of main waterfall PRESERVED_SPECIMEN d. h. lorence, t. w. flynn & s. p. perlman 7278 Kauai US 11/4/1992
62 Morus alba L. wainiha valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN h. st. john 13947 Kauai US 1/1/1934
63 Morus alba L. Papaloa, Wailua houselots, Koki Road. Roadside. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tangalin, N. 1334 Kauai US 5/30/2007
64 Morus alba L. papaloa, wailua houselots, koki road. Roadside. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN n. tangalin 1334 Kauai US 5/30/2007
65 Morus alba L. Wailua, Wailua Homesteads, Puu Pilo Rd, across from junction of Puu Pilo Place, on West side of road. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tangalin, N. 1291 Kauai US 5/29/2007
66 Morus alba L. Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Flynn, T. W. 1519 Kauai US 2/19/1986
67 Morus alba L. Hanalei Dist., Waioli Valley, upper part below and E of main waterfall PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lorence, D. H.; Flynn, T. W.; Perlman, S. P. 7278 Kauai US 11/4/1992
68 Morus alba L. Wainiha Valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN St. John, H. 13947 Kauai US 1/1/1934
69 Morus alba L. wailua, wailua homesteads, puu pilo rd, across from junction of puu pilo place, on west side of road. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN n. tangalin 1291 Kauai US 5/29/2007
70 Morus alba L. kalalau valley, eastern most sub-valley, lower down valley near a hippy garden along the main stream. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN n. tangalin & c. trauernicht 1948 Kauai US 2/25/2010
71 Morus alba L. Trail up West banks of Honomam PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forbes, C.N. 2597.m. Maui BISH 6/23/1920
72 Morus alba L. The residence of Betty Ho, 3785 Old Pali Road, Honolulu, Hawaii PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lau, J. 2281 Oahu BISH 4/21/1986
73 Morus alba L. Waioli Valley, upper part below and East of main waterfall, 280-470 m elevation. Lowland wet forest and shrubland. Entire area badly damaged by Hurricane Iniki. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN David H. Lorence 7278 Kauai PTBG 11/4/1992
74 Morus alba L. Trail up W bank of Honomanu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forbes, C. N. 2597.M Maui US 6/23/2020
75 Morus alba L. Wailua, Wailua Homesteads, Puu Pilo Rd, across from junction of Puu Pilo Place, on West side of road PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tangalin, N. 1291 Kauai BISH 5/29/2007
76 Morus alba L. planted near farrington hall on university of hawaii campus PRESERVED_SPECIMEN webster, g.l. collector number: 1328 Hawaii BISH 3/21/1948
77 Morus alba L. Waimea Arboretum & Botanical Garden, 59-864 Kam Hwy. Haleiwa, Tropical fruit sec PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Annable, C.R. 3627 Oahu BISH 7/18/1997
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