Moraceae Leaves are simple, alternate, deciduous and heart-shaped with a long pointed apex, roughly toothed margin and a rough, prominently veined surface. Leaves often have 1-3 lobes and are hairy on the underside. Petiole exudes milky sap when cut. Twigs are brown with large, shiny ovoid terminal buds with 6-7 overlapping scales. Bark is brown to red-brown becoming ridged and scaly with age.
Fruit is an edible red-purple drupe that resembles blackberry.
Red mulberry is found on a variety of sites in the east and central U.S. Red mulberry is distinguished from eastern redbud and American basswood by a roughly toothed margin, sandpapery leaf surface, acuminate apex and milky sap. Tolerant of shade. Click on photo to enlarge. All text and photographs are intended for educational purposes only and are not for commercial use in any form. 1999, all rights reserved.