Red mulberry

Leaves

Form

• Deciduous, alternate, simple
• Ovate, various shapes on the same tree
• Tip long-tapered
• Base broad, heart-shaped, asymmetrical
• Prominently 3-veined
• Unlobed or with 2 or 3 lobes
• Thin-textured
• Upper surface rough
• Lower surface soft, hairy

Length

• 8–24 cm

Colour

• Upper surface yellowish-green

Autumn colour

• Yellow

Margin

• Coarsely toothed

Buds

Form

• Ovoid, asymmetrical, plump
• In 2 rows on the twig (distichous)
• 6–8 scales in 2 rows
• No terminal bud
• Leaf scars raised, with 5 or more vein scars

Colour

• Brown

Twigs

Form

• Slender
• Exude milky sap when cut

Colour

• Green becoming light brown

Flowers

Form

• Small
• Borne in leaf axils

Colour

• Yellowish- to reddish-green

Structure

• Mostly monoecious, occasionally polygamo-dioecious

Floral timing

• Before and with the leaves

Fruits

Form

• Small, fleshy
• In compact aggregates
• Resembling a blackberry
• Sweet, juicy, edible
• Ripen in midsummer 

Length

• 22–30 mm

Colour

• Red to dark purple

Structure

• Drupe

Bark

Form

• Separating into long flaky plates

Colour

• Reddish-brown

Wood

Texture

• Soft, weak, durable

Size

Height

• 9–20 m

Diameter

• 40–75 cm

Tree form

Forest-grown

Trunk

• Short
• Soon dividing into stout, spreading branches

Crown

• Dense, rounded

Habitat

Site

• Deep moist soils
• Forested floodplains and valleys

Light tolerance

• Shade-tolerant

Associated species

• Scattered infividuals mixed with other broadleaf trees
  

Range

Rare in Canada; scattered throughout southern Ontario

COSEWIC Status

Endangered