From Purdue University, Forestry and Natural Resources
by Sally S. Weeks




Key features for separation of red mulberry and white mulberry


Red MulberryWhite Mulberry
Leaf size 4-10 inches
3-4 inches
Leaf margin Smaller, more pointed serrations Larger, rounded serrations (more tooth-like)
Leaf upper surface Usually rough, dull with distinct network of small veins Smooth (usually), shiny, few -veined
Leaf underside Lightly hairy with pale main veins Hairless except perhaps hairy main veins, which are substantial and white
Leaf color Dark green Bright green
Buds Edge of each scale with a black band Small; each scale with a brown band
Twigs Pale tan Pinkish-brown
Ripe fruit color Purplish-black White, red, purple
Bark Grayish with more flattened, scaly ridges with tannish inner bark Thick, tannish, braided ridges with yellowish, exposed inner bark


Red mulberryWhite mulberry
Fig. 1
Red mulberry
Fig. 2
White mulberry
Typical leaf margins, red mulberry-L, white mulberry-RUnderside of leaves, red mulberry-L, white mulberry-R
Fig. 3
Typical leaf margins,
red mulberry-L, white mulberry-R
Fig. 4
Underside of leaves,
red mulberry-L, white mulberry-R
White mulberry-L, red mulberry-R
Fig. 5
White mulberry-L, red mulberry-R
Red mulberryWhite mulberry
Fig. 6
Red mulberry
Fig. 7
White mulberry
Red mulberryWhite mulberry
Fig. 8
Red mulberry
Fig. 9
White mulberry

Leaves occur in three general shapes in both species – entire, mitten (single lobed), and three-lobed. Red mulberry leaves (Fig. 1) are usually larger (4-10 inches) than white (3-4 inches) (Fig. 2). Red mulberry has dull, dark green leaves that are scabrous (rough) on top and usually lightly hairy beneath. Minor veins are numerous and obvious. Its margins are usually finely serrate when compared to those of white mulberry (Fig. 3).
White mulberry leaves are bright green (usually) and shiny above (usually). If any hairs are present, they occur on the main veins beneath. The margins usually have larger, more rounded teeth. The main veins underneath are very prominent compared to those of red mulberry (Fig. 4).

Red mulberry has larger, more flattened buds that often sit off-center on the twig; the margin of each scale has a black band (Fig. -5R). White mulberry buds are smaller and more domed in the middle, and they usually sit along the center of the twig. The tip of each white mulberry bud is short and needle sharp, and each bud scale has a brown band which is not necessarily on the margin(Fig. -5L). There is usually a color difference in the twigs of the two species as well. Red mulberry twigs are very pale tan, while those of white mulberry tend to be pinkish-brown.

Red mulberry bark (Fig. 6) is grayish with flattened, scaly ridges. If inner bark is exposed, it tends to be tan-colored. White mulberry bark has thick, braiding ridges that are tannish-brown (Fig. 7). The yellowish inner bark is nearly always exposed between ridges.

The fruit of mulberry technically known as a drupe; it is juicy, sweet, flavorful, and a delight of summer. It is relished by many birds and mammals, including humans. Red mulberry fruit is generally larger (>1 inch) (Fig. 8) and sweeter than white (3⁄4 inch), and since it is almost always found in shady, wooded areas where it produces a sparse fruit crop. Single fruits hang along the twig, in contrast to the clusters of abundant, axillary fruit usually present on white mulberry. Red mulberry fruit is always nearly black when ripe, while those of white mulberry (Fig. 9) may be white, red, or deep purple. Individuals that produce fruit that is white when ripe are very uncommon. Both species produce fruit in mid-June into July. Most trees produce fruit, but some are single sex (dioecious), with males producing no fruits and females needing proximate trees for pollination.



Further Reading
Red and White Mulberry in Indiana, Purdue University pdf
A Mess of Muddled Mulberries, Kentucky Plants, Atlas of Ferns and Flora pdf



Back to
White Mulberry Page
Red Mulberry Page



Bibliography

Weeks, Sally S. "Red and White Mulberry in Indiana." Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, FRN-237, 17 Sept. 2003, Reviewed 1 Sept. 2015, Purdue University, mdc.itap.purdue.edu/item.asp?itemID=19438. Accessed 11 Mar. 2020.

Published 11 Mar. 2020 LR
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