white mulberry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• white-mulberry
• Russian mulberry
• silkworm mulberry
• white mulberry
• Asian Mulberry
• Common Mulberry
• Tartarian Mulberry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Morus alba var. parvifolia
• Morus heterophylla
• Morus alba var. chartacea
• Morus dulcis
• Morus alba var. papyracea
• Morus constantinopolitana
• Morus alba var. nodulosa
• Morus alba subvar. rebalaira
• Morus alba var. elongata
• Morus alba var. pendula
• Morus alba subvar. romana
• Morus cucullata
• Morus alba var. romana
• Morus alba subvar. macrophylla
• Morus alba subvar. tokwa
• Morus italica
• Morus alba subvar. pumila
• Morus lhou
• Morus alba var. vungeana
• Morus levasseurei
• Morus alba var. venosa
• Morus alba var. nigriformis
• Morus lucida
• Morus alba var. arabica
• Morus alba var. tenuifolia
• Morus alba var. italica
• Morus arabica
• Morus alba var. morettii
• Morus atropurpurea
• Morus alba var. rosea
• Morus alba var. emarginata
• Morus alba var. colombassa
• Morus alba var. columbassetta
• Morus alba var. lhou
• Morus alba var. constantinopolitana
• Morus alba var. nana
• Morus nigriformis
• Morus alba var. pyramidalis
• Morus nana
• Morus alba var. fibrosa
• Morus multicaulis
• Morus multicaulis var. cucullata
• Morus multicaulis var. planifolia
• Morus macrophylla
• Morus alba var. nervosa
• Morus nervosa
• Morus alba var. pumila
• Morus alba f. macrophylla
• Morus mariettii
• Morus alba f. pyramidalis
• Morus pumila
• Morus alba f. tatarica
• Morus alba f. nigrobacca
• Morus alba subvar. tatarica
• Morus patavina
• Morus patavia
• Morus intermedia
• Morus sinensis
• Morus tokwa
• Morus alba pendula
• Morus alba f. skeletoniana
• Morus alba var. skeletoniana
• Morus alba f. pendula
• Morus venosa
• Morus alba var. nodosa
• Morus alba var. atropurpurea
• Morus alba var. multicaulis
• Morus alba subvar. columbassetta
• Morus alba subvar. tenuifolia
• Morus alba subvar. rosea
• Morus alba f. venosa
• Morus alba subvar. colombassa
• Morus alba var. macrophylla
• Morus alba var. laciniata
• Morus alba var. erecta
• Morus alba var. vulgaris
• Morus alba var. meridionalis
• Morus alba var. hispanica
• Morus romana
• Morus kaki
• Morus chinensis
• Morus guzziola
• Morus alba var. tatarica

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Morus alba, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Rosales and the family Moraceae. Its taxonomic journey concludes in the genus Morus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of locations across the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be identified within the territories of Denmark and Sweden. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species is also documented throughout Germany. Furthermore, its distribution extends into the regions of Austria and the Czechia-Slovakia area. These specific locations highlight the varied geographical footprint of Morus alba.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Morus alba is characterized by a broad vertical distribution, spanning an elevational range from 0 m to a maximum of 2800 m AMSL. This wide altitudinal tolerance allows the species to adapt to diverse climatic conditions across various mountain gradients. In terms of its environmental setting, the plant is frequently found in managed habitats, where its growth and distribution are often influenced by human intervention and cultivation.

Elevational range max:

2800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

managed

Genetics

The genetics of Morus alba are characterized by a complex polyploid nature, which significantly contributes to its morphological diversity and adaptability. A defining feature of its karyotype is its varying chromosome number, which typically manifests in levels of 14, 28, or 42. This variation indicates that the species exists in diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid states, a genetic complexity that plays a crucial role in its evolutionary lineage and its capacity for hybridization. Such chromosomal arrangements influence the plant's phenotypic plasticity, affecting traits ranging from leaf architecture to secondary metabolite production, which are essential for its medicinal properties.

Chromosome number :

14, 28, 42

Life history

The life history of Morus alba is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its survival and presence across multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive buds are elevated well above the ground, typically supported by a woody structure that allows it to dominate its ecological niche. This plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage annually in response to seasonal changes, which plays a crucial role in its resource management and survival strategies. Throughout its developmental stages, it maintains its identity as a phanerophyte, utilizing its structural height to optimize light interception and reproductive success within its habitat.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Morus alba is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which functions as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or vine. It is an independent species, meaning it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, and it is strictly a terrestrial plant, lacking any aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant size variation, with heights ranging from a minimum of 1 m to a maximum of 15 m, typically reaching a mean height of approximately 13 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

13 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Morus alba is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating its reliance on the standard carbon fixation process common to many temperate woody species. The plant exhibits a non-succulent morphology and does not function as a nitrogen fixer. Its foliage is arranged in an alternate pattern, featuring leaves that can present a lobed form. The leaf dimensions show significant variability, with a minimum length of 4 cm and a maximum length reaching up to 18 cm, while the average leaf length is approximately 20 cm. In terms of width, the leaves range from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 12 cm, with a mean width of 8.5 cm. Supporting the structural integrity of the plant, the stem possesses a mean specific density (SSD) of 700 mg/cm³.

Leaf arrangement :

alternate

Leaf form :

lobed

Leaf length max:

18 cm

Leaf length mean:

20 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

12 cm

Leaf width mean:

8.5 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

700 mg/cm³

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Morus alba is characterized by a flowering period that typically begins in April and concludes in May. The plant produces inflorescences in the form of spikes, which range in length from a minimum of 0.01 m to a maximum of 0.04 m. During the reproductive phase, the plant is capable of self-fertilization. The resulting fruit is a fleshy, indehiscent type classified as an achene, appearing in a pink color. These fruits vary in size, with a mean length of 1.75 cm, a minimum length of 1 cm, and a maximum length reaching up to 2.5 cm. The seeds within the fruit exhibit a consistent volume of 2.3 mm³ and a mean mass of approximately 0.004701111 g, though individual seed masses can range from a minimum of 0.00192 g to a maximum of 0.0208 g. Dispersal of the seeds is facilitated through a zoochorous syndrome, relying on animals to spread the progeny.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

May

Fruit colour :

pink

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

2.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.75 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Inflorescence :

spike

Inflorescence length max:

0.04 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.01 m

Seed mass max:

0.0208 g

Seed mass mean:

0.004701111 g

Seed mass min:

0.00192 g

Seed volume max:

2.3 mm³

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Morus alba has 4 reported plant parts identified across 38 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, fruit, stem.

Leaf

1. F1000Research
2. European journal of medicinal chemistry
3. Revista de medicina interna, neurologe, psihiatrie, neurochirurgie, dermato-venerologie. Medicina interna
4. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
5. PeerJ

Root

1. European journal of medicinal chemistry
2. Journal of medicinal food
3. Fitoterapia
4. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
5. Planta medica

Fruit

1. Chinese journal of natural medicines
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Frontiers in clinical diabetes and healthcare
4. Phytochemical analysis : PCA
5. Biology

Stem

1. European journal of medicinal chemistry
2. PeerJ

Chemicals

Morus alba has 300 reported phytochemicals identified across 38 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, CHLOROGENIC ACID, 1-DEOXYNOJIRIMYCIN, Morusin, Anthocyanins.

Flavonoids

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
2. Metabolites
3. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
5. Journal of ethnopharmacology

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke
2. F1000Research
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. European journal of pharmacology
5. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

1-DEOXYNOJIRIMYCIN

1. Metabolites
2. Medical hypotheses
3. mSystems
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology
5. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Morusin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry
3. Computational biology and chemistry
4. Frontiers in pharmacology
5. Fitoterapia

Anthocyanins

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Chinese journal of natural medicines
3. Food chemistry
4. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
5. Journal of food biochemistry

Astragalin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of medicinal food
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
4. Physiology and molecular biology of plants : an international journal of functional plant biology
5. Open life sciences

Isoquercitrin

1. Dr. Duke
2. F1000Research
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
5. Physiology and molecular biology of plants : an international journal of functional plant biology

RUTIN

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of medicinal food
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
4. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
5. Physiology and molecular biology of plants : an international journal of functional plant biology

DNJ

1. Metabolites
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. mSystems
4. Natural product research
5. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

quercetin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of medicinal food
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Talanta

Activities

Morus alba has 689 reported activities identified across 38 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Hypoglycemic, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective, Anthelmintic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. F1000Research
3. European journal of medicinal chemistry
4. Natural product research
5. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Hypoglycemic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
5. Journal of food biochemistry

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytochemical analysis : PCA
3. International journal of molecular sciences
4. Omics : a journal of integrative biology
5. Archives of pharmacal research

Hepatoprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening
3. Chinese journal of natural medicines
4. Journal of food biochemistry
5. International journal of molecular sciences

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Chinese journal of natural medicines
3. Journal of food biochemistry
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hypolipidemic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Life sciences
4. The American journal of Chinese medicine

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of biological macromolecules
3. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. European journal of medicinal chemistry
3. Biology

Antihyperglycemic

1. Dr. Duke
2. F1000Research
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimicrobial

1. European journal of medicinal chemistry
2. Chinese journal of natural medicines
3. Journal of food biochemistry

Medicinal Uses

Morus alba has 114 reported medicinal uses identified across 38 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include obesity, inflammation, antidiabetic, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemic.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations