Morus alba
Specifications
Family
Moraceae
Species
Morus alba L.
white mulberry
Description
The sapwood is yellowish and the heartwood is bronze or brown, with a medium texture and variable grain, a volumetric weight between 0.55 and 0.70.
Plant morphology
A short-lived, fast-growing species, it can reach a height of 15-20 m. The leaves are simple, alternate, cordate at the base and pointed at the apex with a serrated edge, sometimes lobed (three lobes). The fruit is pinkish-white when ripe and is edible, although less tasty than that of the black mulberry.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
Originally from China, widely cultivated in Northern and Central Italy.
Habitat and ecology
A rather frugal and rustic plant, it is reasonably cold-resistant; in Italy it grows sub-spontaneously from the plains up to 800 m above sea level.
Uses
Application areas
It was once used for agricultural tools.
Threats and Conservation
Threats
Not reported.
Conservation measures
This species is present in more than 231 ex situ collections worldwide (BGCI 2021); different cultivars are preserved in various botanical gardens.
IUCN Red List
IUCN
LC - Least Concern - Low Risk
CITES. Year of assessment
CITES
2021
1975
2050
CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento
2021
Not present.
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Obvious
Texture
Coarse
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
690
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
33
MPa
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
66
MPa
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
81
MPa
Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.
M.O.E.
9320
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Very durable
Insect resistance
Resistant