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.