Morus nigra
Black mulberry
Morus nigra, commonly known as the Black Mulberry, is a deciduous tree cherished for its nutrient-dense, dark purple fruits. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, it has been used extensively in traditional medicine to support digestive health, manage blood sugar levels, and reduce inflammation throughout various healing practices.
- Scientific name: Morus nigra
- Family: Moraceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Morus nigra, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Rosales. Finally, it is a member of the family Moraceae and falls under the genus Morus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Rosales | WCVP |
| Family | Moraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Morus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Morus nigra, is recognized by several common names across different Chinese linguistic contexts. In Simplified Chinese, it is referred to as 黑桑 (zh-hans), which is the same designation used in Mainland China (zh-cn), Singapore (zh-sg), and Hong Kong (zh-hk). Similarly, in Traditional Chinese, the common name is written as 黑桑 (zh-hant).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 黑桑 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 黑桑 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 黑桑 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 黑桑 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 黑桑 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 黑桑 | Wikidata |
| pl | Morwa czarna | Wikidata |
| eu | Masustondo beltz | Wikidata |
| fr | Mûrier noir | Wikidata |
| hu | fekete eperfa | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a varied geographical distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be identified within the borders of Great Britain. Moving toward the Mediterranean, it is found throughout Southwestern Europe, specifically in Spain. The species also extends into Southeastern Europe, where it inhabits the landscapes of Albania and Bulgaria. Finally, its range reaches further south to include the country of Greece.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Albania | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Bulgaria | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Kriti | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Romania | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Libya | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Morus nigra, contains several components that are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The leaves are frequently employed in traditional remedies to treat various ailments, often prepared as teas or extracts. Additionally, the succulent fruits, which are dark and sweet, are consumed not only for nutrition but also for their antioxidant benefits. For more specific medicinal applications, the root bark is harvested to derive potent compounds, and in some pharmacological preparations, the root barks are processed to ensure high concentrations of active ingredients. Whether using the whole leaf or specific woody sections, each part of the plant contributes to its diverse medicinal profile.- Total parts
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 11
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root barks | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Stem Node | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Morus nigra has 40 reported phytochemicals identified across 53 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, anthocyanin, chlorogenic acid, rutin, anthocyanins.
- Total chemicals
- 40
- Scientific sources
- 53
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| anthocyanin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| chlorogenic acid | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| rutin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| anthocyanins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isoquercetin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| morusin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gallic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| albafuran C | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| albanin A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Morus nigra has 16 reported activities identified across 29 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antinociceptive, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic.
- Total activities
- 16
- Scientific sources
- 29
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antinociceptive | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypoglycemic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypolipidemic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Morus nigra has 35 reported medicinal uses identified across 43 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include oxidative stress, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia.
- Total uses
- 35
- Scientific sources
- 43
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| oxidative stress | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular disease | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dyslipidemia | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperglycemia | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| obesity | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oral mucositis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Dyslipidemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hyperglycemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Insulin resistance | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |