Common or black mulberry
Family Moraceae
Morus nigra, the common or black mulberry (M. nigra 1), is a small deciduous tree, up to 10 m high, with a rugged trunk and irregular crown. The leaves are usually simple, dentate, dark green, up to 20 cm long. The inconspicuous and unisexual flowers are joined together in a dense axillary cluster. The fruit is a fleshy multiple fruit, green at first, but turning purple when ripe (M. nigra 2).
Distribution
The black mulberry is probably a native of West Asia and was introduced into Europe at an early date. The mulberry was well known to the ancient Greeks and Romans.
Use
Mulberries are eaten fresh when fully ripe and are also used for making wine and jam. Commercially the common mulberry has never been of much importance, because the ripe fruits are very juicy and easily squashed.