Himalayan Mulberry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Himalayan Mulberry
• King White Mulberry
• Long Mulberry
• Pakistan Mulberry
• Tibetan Mulberry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered as Rosales and categorized under the family Moraeceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Morus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several distinct regions in Asia. Within China, its presence is noted in the South-Central and Southeast provinces, as well as in the high-altitude regions of Tibet. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, the species is specifically found in the state of Assam. Additionally, its range extends into the neighboring territory of Bangladesh. Together, these locations highlight the diverse habitats where the species can be discovered.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Morus macroura is characterized by its specific adaptation to montane environments, where it thrives across a distinct altitudinal gradient. This species is primarily distributed within mid-to-high elevation zones, occupying a broad vertical niche that begins at a minimum elevation of 900 m AMSL. It reaches its peak distribution at a maximum elevation of 2200 m AMSL, demonstrating a robust ability to tolerate the varying climatic conditions found in these highland regions. On average, the plant is most frequently encountered at a mean elevation of 1600 m AMSL, suggesting that its optimal ecological conditions, such as temperature regimes and moisture availability, are most consistently met within this central elevational band.

Elevational range max:

2200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

900 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Morus macroura is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a long-term presence in its ecological niche. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms. This indicates that its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on aerial shoots, typically forming woody structures such as shrubs or small trees that can withstand seasonal environmental shifts.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Morus macroura is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a shrub or a tree. As a terrestrial species, it exhibits significant structural variation in height, typically ranging from a minimum of 7 m to a maximum of 12 m, with an average plant height of approximately 9.5 m. In terms of its climbing habit, the plant can act as a liana or vine, displaying both obligatory and facultative climbing tendencies, though it is also noted for being self-supporting.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Plant height max:

12 m

Plant height mean:

9.5 m

Plant height min:

7 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Morus macroura is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and energy production. The morphological dimensions of its foliage reflect a dynamic range of leaf development, with leaf lengths typically averaging 10 cm, though they can vary from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 15 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width displays significant variability, maintaining a mean width of 7 cm, with measurements ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 9 cm. These specific leaf area dimensions and the C3 metabolic framework collectively support the plant's physiological functions and resource acquisition strategies.

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length mean:

10 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

9 cm

Leaf width mean:

7 cm

Leaf width min:

5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Morus macroura is characterized by a highly specific seed profile and a diverse range of dispersal mechanisms. The seeds produced by this species are remarkably uniform in size, maintaining a consistent seed mass with a mean, maximum, and minimum value of 0.00226 g. In terms of propagation strategies, the plant exhibits a complex dispersal syndrome; while it is primarily categorized as zoochorous, meaning it relies on animals for seed transport, its reproductive success is supported by a multifaceted approach that includes anemochorous (wind), autochorous (self-dispersal), hydrochorous (water), and unspecialized dispersal methods.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Seed mass mean:

0.00226 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Morus macroura has 3 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, stem.

Leaf

1. European journal of medicinal chemistry

Root

1. European journal of medicinal chemistry

Stem

1. European journal of medicinal chemistry

Chemicals

Morus macroura has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Butyrospermol acetate, Mulberroside C, Oxyresveratrol, alpha-Amyrin acetate, andalasin A.

Butyrospermol acetate

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Mulberroside C

1. Fitoterapia

Oxyresveratrol

1. Fitoterapia

alpha-Amyrin acetate

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

andalasin A

1. Fitoterapia

Activities

Morus macroura has 4 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Anticancer

1. European journal of medicinal chemistry

Antifungal

1. Fitoterapia

Antimicrobial

1. European journal of medicinal chemistry

Antioxidant

1. European journal of medicinal chemistry

Conditions

Morus macroura has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Alzheimer's disease, inflammatory bowel diseases.

Alzheimer's disease

1. Food & function

Inflammatory bowel diseases

1. Metabolites

Preparations

Morus macroura has 1 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include bark.

Bark

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica