🌿 Morphology
🌞 Growing conditions
🌍 Origin and family
🌾 Uses
Warning: Despite the care taken in writing this sheet, it is essential to cross-reference sources before using or consuming any plant. When in doubt, consult a qualified professional
Permaculture uses
Mulberries are valued for their edible fruit, which can be eaten fresh, dried, or processed into jams, jellies, and wine. The leaves can be used as livestock feed, especially for silkworms where applicable. They provide shade and can be used as a windbreak. Mulberry trees can also be coppiced for biomass production. Specific cultivars might offer better fruit production or disease resistance. The root system helps with soil stabilization.
Permapeople description
Morus cathayana, also known as the Cathay mulberry, is a species of flowering plant in the family Moraceae. It is native to China and other parts of East Asia. It is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 15 meters tall. The leaves are oval-shaped and have serrated edges. The fruits are small and red, and they are edible.
Botanical description
Morus cathayana is a deciduous tree in the Moraceae family. It typically grows to a medium size. Leaves are alternate, simple, and often lobed, with serrated margins. The fruit is a multiple fruit, resembling a blackberry, and ranges in color from white to red to dark purple or black when ripe. The tree is generally dioecious or monoecious. Bark is gray-brown and somewhat furrowed. Flowering occurs in spring, followed by fruit development during the summer.
Companion planting
Mulberries are generally considered good companion plants for various crops. They provide shade and can help improve soil fertility through leaf litter. Avoid planting near plants that are highly susceptible to root competition. Specific companion plant relationships need further research.
Propagation methods
Morus cathayana can be propagated by seed, cuttings (hardwood and softwood), and grafting. Seed propagation requires stratification to break dormancy. Cuttings are best taken in late spring or early summer. Grafting is used to propagate specific cultivars with desired fruit characteristics.
History and traditions
Mulberries have a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine. The fruit, leaves, and bark have been used for various medicinal purposes, including treating dizziness, insomnia, and coughs. Silk production is also historically linked to mulberries as silkworms feed on mulberry leaves. The plant's fruit has been a food source in many regions of Asia for centuries.
Usage calendar
Flowering: Spring. Fruiting: Summer (June-August). Planting: Late fall or early spring. Pruning: Late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Harvesting: When fruits are fully colored and easily detached from the tree, typically during the summer months.