Mulberry: what is it, useful properties and contraindications

Mulberry is a fruit tree from the Mulberry family. This plant is sometimes also called a mulberry tree or simply mulberry. Its useful properties are known to mankind for more than a millennium, and today mulberry is used in both traditional and folk medicine, as well as in cooking.

How and where does mulberry grow?

Mulberry can grow up to 20 meters in height and has a lush ball-shaped crown. The leaves of the tree are dentate, simple, lobate, and the fruits are similar in appearance to blackberries - cylindrical, cone-shaped or spherical in shape, reaching 1-4 cm in diameter.

Mulberry is widespread in Asia, Africa and Europe, it can also be found in some regions of Russia. Mulberry prefers to grow in warm and rather humid climates, but feels quite well in temperate, subtropical and tropical climates. A little frost is not critical for it, but the tree yields best when it is warm and in the sun. Mulberry lives very long - from 150 to 400 years, for which reason it is called a long-liver.

The yield of mulberry is usually very high. One tree can yield over 200 kg of berries, provided that during the period of their growth and ripening it was in favorable climatic conditions. The fruits are harvested in mid-summer, but in colder regions they are harvested at the end.

Types

More than 160 species are known worldwide, but the most common is the black mulberry, which is native to Southwest Asia. The tree with white fruits is also common and is most often found in eastern China. But in addition to the black and white berries of the mulberry, there are several other colors - red, yellow, purple and pink berries. Though rare, they are found in nature.

Mulberry berries also differ in their taste qualities. So, some varieties taste very sweet, others - with a touch of sourness. But they all have one thing in common: a pleasant, light flavor. The mulberry itself is juicy and tasty, and can be eaten raw or thermally processed.

How it differs from blackberries

It is easy to confuse mulberries with blackberries. Indeed, they are very similar, but there are differences between them. For example, mulberry is a tall tree and blackberry is a shrub. The berries of both plants look almost identical, but a closer look reveals a number of differences:

1. The mulberry has an oblong shape, while the blackberry is round.
2. The foot of the mulberry is planted deeper than that of the blackberry.
3. The mulberry tastes sweeter while the blackberry has a sour taste.
4. You can also distinguish the berries by the density of the skin - blackberries have a denser skin than mulberries.

Composition and calories

Mulberry is the most valuable berry. It contains vitamins such as B1, B2, C and PP, as well as natural sugars, iron and potassium. Ripe berries contain a lot of resveratrol, a strong plant antioxidant.

As any other berry, mulberries have a fairly low caloric value - about 52 kcal per 100 grams. Of these, 13.6 g are carbohydrates and 0.7 g are proteins, and mulberry contains no fats. Thanks to its low caloric value mulberry can be eaten by people who care about their figure.

Useful properties of mulberry

General benefits

This berry has beneficial properties, which is achieved due to its unique composition containing active substances. Among the most notable properties that benefit the human body are:

1. Prevention of visual impairment (due to the large amount of vitamin A).
2. Improvement of mood.
3. Beneficial effects on the heart and circulatory system (mulberry contains a lot of potassium).
4. Strengthening bone tissue, hair, nails and teeth (mulberry contains calcium).

Consumption of berries and leaves of mulberry is recommended for people of all categories, regardless of gender or age. However, it makes sense to consider the useful properties of this berry for certain groups of people women, men and children.

For women

The mood of a woman, how she feels, depends on the mood and all her family members. At least that's why you should try to keep your physical and mental condition at the proper level. In this may help mulberry, which has a positive effect on the female body:

1. Ensures the stable work of the brain, helping to overcome serious mental stress.
2. Boosts the immune system.
3. Supports the nervous system, helping to combat stress.
4. Improves appearance and rejuvenates the body.
5. Eliminates edema.
6. Increases the mood and activity of the woman.

Undoubtedly, the health of women depends more on her lifestyle and diet, but the presence of mulberry in the diet will contribute to this and will improve the overall condition of the body.

For men

The benefit of mulberry for men lies in the high content of vitamins and minerals in its composition. It should be noted the most important properties of this berry for men:

1. A sufficient amount of carbohydrates increases physical activity and stamina.
2. Protein is the building material for muscles.
3. Vitamin B1 makes it easier for a man to cope with fatigue after hard work and to relax.
4. The general condition of the body improves due to the detoxifying substances contained in mulberry.

Thus, mulberry is a useful berry for men. Regularly eating it, a man can increase his stamina at work and in the gym, and in the evening he will have strength and mood for a romantic date.

When pregnant

Mulberry is a low-allergenic berry, which allows you to include it in the diet of pregnant women. Mulberry is a source of many valuable substances, which are very important for pregnant women. By regularly adding mulberries or dishes with them to her diet, a woman can protect her heart and blood vessels, which have to withstand serious stress during pregnancy.

Mulberry will allow the mother-to-be to reduce the risk of gestosis, arterial hypertension, placental insufficiency and some other abnormalities of pregnancy. This berry can be eaten throughout the entire term, and if the baby has good tolerance - even during breastfeeding.

Fresh mulberry has a beneficial effect on the health of kidneys and excretory system, which is also important in this critical period for every woman. And due to its antiseptic properties, mulberry is widely known in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system.

Another valuable property of mulberry for pregnant women is that the berry helps to overcome stool problems, particularly constipation and diarrhea. In this case, it is better to give preference to a well ripe fruit, which improves peristalsis and kills pathogenic bacteria in the intestines.

It is especially important for pregnant women to eat mulberries during the period of colds. Due to the high content of vitamin C, this berry is able to protect against colds and viruses, which is especially important in this vital period. And you can use not only the berries themselves, but also compotes, morses, and decoctions from the leaves.

A few other useful properties of mulberries:

• Ensuring a favorable course of the first trimester of pregnancy;
• prevention of anemia;
• Strengthening the walls of blood vessels and heart;
• improving blood circulation;
• preventing stretch marks by increasing the elasticity of the skin (due to vitamin E in the composition);
• stabilization of metabolic processes in the body.

Silkworm is allowed to be consumed during the whole period of pregnancy. This product causes practically no allergic reactions, but at the same time it has a number of valuable properties for the body of a pregnant woman and her unborn child.

When breastfeeding

Every young mother wonders what foods she is allowed to eat. Fear of causing tummy problems or allergies in the baby forces many mothers to switch to a very simple menu. However, this is not quite the right decision, since the mother's body needs to receive all nutrients, vitamins and trace elements with food to produce valuable milk for the baby. It is important to include in your daily diet as much as possible a variety of healthy foods. It should follow a simple rule - try everything new a little, and be sure to monitor the reaction of the child.

Mulberry rarely causes allergies and in small quantities is very useful to nursing mothers. It can be used to make desserts and compotes, eaten fresh or store for the winter - dried, cooked jam or frozen. In any form mulberry will only benefit a nursing mother.

Fruit of the mulberry tree is useful to a nursing mother due to its content of valuable components such as folic acid, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, etc. This berry will allow a young mother not only to diversify her diet, but also to improve her health and pass more useful substances through the milk to her baby. It is also believed that mulberries help to increase lactation, which is sometimes very important for young mothers.

For babies.

Since the fruit of the mulberry tree contains many small seeds, this berry should not be given to children under the age of a year and a half. Closer to 2 years of age, you can start introducing mulberries to your baby's diet, starting with just a few berries. You can prepare from mulberry compote, morses or puree - all this should please your baby, since this berry itself is very sweet and fragrant.

Pediatricians recommend giving small children any berries, including mulberries, in a heat-treated form. This way they will be safer and better absorbed by the growing body. Fresh berries may be given only after 2 years, rinsing it first under hot running water. Allowed to combine mulberries with other berries and fruits. So, you can try to make a puree of mulberries and apples, strawberries or cherries.

Small children should first be given the fruit of white mulberries, to eliminate the risk of allergies. If your baby's body will not give any negative reaction to the use of mulberry, you can gradually introduce black berries and bring them to the amount of 50-100 grams.

When losing weight

Despite the fact that mulberry is quite a sweet berry, it can be included in the diet of thinners. Mulberry can replace any caloric dessert, because it is not inferior in taste to even the most appetizing candy. Lose weight with this berry is easy and simple, especially since you can prepare various low-calorie dishes with it.

In mulberry there are a lot of pectins, essential oils, proteins, as well as vitamins and some minerals. All these substances are especially important in the process of losing weight, as they help to keep the body healthy in case of nutritional deficiencies.

Also mulberry is known for its property to free the body from excess fluid in the form of edema and stabilize digestion, which also gives a noticeable result on the scales. Another useful property of berries is the elimination of insomnia, and after all, a healthy sleep is the key to a slender figure.

Weight watchers should remember that, like any product, mulberry should be consumed in moderation. The high content of sugars in this berry is a reason to reduce its consumption to 100-200 grams per day. As a rule, this is enough to indulge yourself with sweets during the diet.

Diet on mulberries
In the season of mulberry ripening you can try a diet on this berry. The diet menu should look something like this: in the morning you are allowed to eat 50 g of mulberry and 100 g of boiled lean meat, in lunch - again 50 g of berries and three boiled eggs, for afternoon snack - 100 g of mulberry, and for dinner - a couple of glasses of kefir. It is important to drink enough water, remove alcohol and get enough sleep. This diet is quite tough, so it is recommended to stick to it no more than 3 days. Due to the inclusion of protein products in the diet, the well-being on this diet will be good, and the results will not wait.

For those who are not supporters of all kinds of diets, the option of including this berry in your menu will do. For example, you can replace desserts with it, as well as prepare with its addition smoothies, compotes and decoctions from the leaves without added sugar. If you do not consume large amounts of fatty, sweet, spicy and fried foods and connect physical activity, you can lose 2 kg of extra weight in a week.

What are the benefits of mulberry leaves?

Many plants have useful not only fruits, but also other parts. So, the leaves of the mulberry tree have very valuable properties. Decoctions and teas based on them help to overcome diseases of the heart and circulation, normalize blood pressure, eliminate the symptoms of colds, treat coughs and much more. This is the product that helps cure many diseases at once. The useful properties of mulberry leaves are that they contain a lot of essential oils, flavonoids, vitamins and other substances.

Decoctions and teas from mulberry leaves are used:

• To normalize the condition of women during menopause;
• migraines and headaches caused by fatigue or stress;
• improvement of libido;
• Reducing blood sugar and cholesterol levels;
• treatment of eczema and other skin diseases;
• vision rehabilitation;
• treatment of colds and viral diseases.

The benefits of leaf tea

Both decoctions, teas and syrups of mulberry leaves can be used for the above purposes. The most common use is mulberry leaf tea, which is prepared as follows: 2 tbsp. of dried leaves pour a liter of boiling water and allow to infuse for an hour. You can leave the drink in a thermos or use cold. It is recommended to take the healing tea in 200 ml half an hour before a meal.

This drink is especially useful for women during menopause - it helps to overcome such unpleasant symptoms of this condition as migraine, hot flashes, bad moods.

Tea from mulberry leaves normalizes the hormonal background and increases libido. It is useful for those who care about their figure, as it aims to normalize fat metabolism. Mulberry leaves brewed as a tea can help overcome colds. They have expectorant, antipyretic and antiviral effect.

Is mulberry juice useful?

Since the mulberry itself is very useful, the juice from it will also differ in its value. To prepare the juice, you can use a juicer or make it by hand.

Juice from mulberry is recommended for people prone to inflammation of the gums, stomatitis and other diseases of the mouth. It is also recommended to include this product in the diet in order to increase hemoglobin in the blood and improve many other health indicators.

The benefits of dried mulberry

The dried leaves and fruits of mulberry are a valuable product for the human body. Such a way of preparation, as drying, allows you to save the maximum of useful substances contained in the plant and fruit. Preparations can be used to make decoctions and teas and used in the treatment of diseases such as pancreatitis, primary glaucoma and cataracts, pathologies of the digestive tract and cardiovascular system.

How to dry

All medicinal plants should be collected at a certain time and harvested correctly. It is best to collect the leaves of mulberry during the formation of new greenery. It is the young leaves that have the greatest concentration of useful substances.

To harvest the herbs, you need to pluck the leaves, inspect them, throw away the damaged specimens, and the rest washed and dried on a cloth. Then spread them on a surface or hang them on ropes until they are completely dry. It's best to dry the leaves in a ventilated area, but not outdoors. When they are completely dry, assemble them and put them in a bag or jar. Preserves can be stored for 2 years, but it is better to use freshly dried leaves.

Mulberry in medicine

Mulberry is used not only in folk medicine, but also in traditional medicine. To date, mulberry extract is contained in a cure for hypochromic anemia, which is caused by gastritis and increased acidity of the stomach.

In addition, medical research has long been proven that mulberry lowers blood sugar, fights avitaminosis, anemia, dysbiosis, metabolic disorders, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, biliary tract, and improves health in general.

Official pharmacology has only recently been replenished with medicines based on the extract of mulberry leaves and fruits. Most often this plant is used to make dietary supplements, drugs for weight loss, body cleansing and treatment of diseases such as eczema, skin tuberculosis and rheumatism. In the future it is planned to expand this list.

Let's consider in more detail the options for the use of mulberry in medicine:

For diabetes.

The basis of treatment of type 2 diabetes is the production of special hormones and the breakdown of glucose. This is promoted by riboflavin, which is contained in mulberry in large quantities.

All parts of the mulberry tree are used in the treatment of diabetes: berries, leaves, buds, bark and even the roots. Unfortunately, medical preparations based on mulberry for the treatment of type 2 diabetes do not exist today, but you can make healing decoctions and infusions yourself, preserving all the benefits of this plant.

Important: The glycemic index of mulberry is 25 units.

In pancreatitis.

In such a disease, you should use mulberry as a medicine. The berries and leaves of this tree help to normalize the work of the pancreas, eliminating inflammation.

A large amount of mulberry is contraindicated in pancreatitis, but moderate consumption of this berry will only bring benefits. Intermittent diarrhea is another contraindication, which suggests that mulberry should be consumed in minimal quantities. But in the case where there are no complications, mulberry may well be used in the treatment of pancreatitis.

The healing properties of mulberry to overcome such an ailment as pancreatitis are as follows:

• excretion of excess fluid;
• Purification of the body from toxic substances;
• Enrichment with minerals and vitamins;
• normalization of blood sugar levels;
• improvement of work of circulatory system.

All these properties in combination help to overcome pancreatic problems, as well as many other diseases. During treatment, you only need to take into account the individual characteristics of the body and monitor changes in well-being.

For gastritis

Mulberry is shown to treat gastritis, but it should be used in the period of remission. But during exacerbations you need to refuse fresh mulberries, as well as all other berries and fruits. In combination with other measures you can cure gastritis with mulberry, using both the fruit of the mulberry tree and its leaves. Mulberry is useful for gastritis, because it promotes the production of hydrochloric acid, as well as quickly and effectively eliminates heartburn, which is especially important for people suffering from this disease.

It should be remembered that people suffering from gastritis should eat only very ripe fruits. And it is better to choose the varieties that have no sourness, in order to avoid unnecessary irritation of the walls of the stomach. In any case, before you start eating mulberry with gastritis, you need to consult with your doctor.

For constipation

Such an unpleasant problem as constipation can be eliminated with mulberry. It acts softly and effectively due to the sufficient amount of potassium and fiber. And this berry can not only solve the problem of constipation, but also eliminate excessive gas and improve metabolism, as well as normalize the water-salt balance, which will prevent the occurrence of such problems in the future.

In the case of gout

The leaves and berries of mulberry can be used in the treatment of gout. The leaves contain many substances that have anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects. A powder of dried mulberry leaves is used to treat gout and is added to various dishes. The recommended dose is 1-2 tsp. twice a day. It is allowed to brew the leaves in the form of tea, but it is still better to consume them with food.

Berries can also be used in the treatment of gout. To this end, choose only ripe fruits, which can be eaten raw, made from them juice, jam or eat dried. It is recommended to eat from 200 to 300 g of the valuable product per day. If gout is accompanied by anemia, mulberry will be doubly useful.

For the liver

Mulberries contain substances called flavonoids. They have a hepatoprotective effect (protect the liver) from various kinds of negative influences. Mulberry extract is used to treat chronic liver disease, and the effect of this plant has been proven in studies by Chinese scientists. They were able to find that mulberry leaf extract can reduce damage to liver tissue.

For cholecystitis

Since cholecystitis is a disease that has an inflammatory nature, mulberry can be used in its treatment. The berries and leaves of this plant have a strong anti-inflammatory effect, which will help overcome cholecystitis by normalizing the physical and biochemical properties of bile.

Recipes of folk medicine on the basis of mulberry

The centuries-old experience of mankind has collected a large number of valuable recipes based on the use of herbs, plants, leaves, roots and much more. In this list there are also medicines based on mulberry, which, depending on the preparation, will help to cure this or that disease. Here are some of them:

1. Decoction from the leaves. For its preparation, you need to take 2 tsp. of dry chopped mulberry leaves, pour them with a glass of water and boil for 15 minutes in a water bath. Take the resulting decoction of 150-200 ml three times a day before meals. This drink helps against many diseases, including disorders of the cardiovascular system, liver pathology, digestive problems.
2. Juice from mulberries is prepared quite simply. It is necessary to take ripe fruits, examine them carefully, wash them under running water and squeeze juice from them manually or with a juicer. For taste, add 1 tsp of honey per glass of juice. Such a drink is recommended to take for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, as well as diseases of the oral cavity, which are inflammatory in nature. At one reception you can drink up to 200 ml of mulberry juice.
3. Decoction from the bark of the mulberry tree is prepared as follows: 2 tbsp of crushed bark pour a glass of water and boil. The resulting mixture is diluted with boiled water at a rate of 5-10 ml decoction per glass of water. Helps decoction of mulberry bark in the treatment of coughs and sore throats caused by colds or viral diseases.
4. Tea made from mulberry leaves is quite simple. You need to take 1-2 tbsp. dried or fresh leaves of mulberry. Pour a glass of boiling water and allow to stand for 15 minutes. Take half a glass of tea a day before meals when treating colds, viral diseases, diabetes, hypertension, as well as a means to lose weight.
5. Infusion of mulberry leaves is prepared in the same way as the tea. The only difference is that when preparing the infusion, you need to leave the leaves in boiling water for 4 hours. It is better to do this in a thermos, so in the infusion will pass the maximum useful substances from raw materials.
6. To restore physical strength, it is recommended to take both the fruits of the mulberry tree themselves and the juice from them, adding a little honey to it.
7. From mulberry you can prepare a healing ointment. To do this, you need to take a powder of dried bark of the mulberry tree and vegetable oil as an auxiliary agent in a ratio of 1:30. The resulting composition applied to damaged areas of the body - scratches, wounds, sores, bites, etc.
8. In Chinese folk medicine, there is a widespread recipe for a cure from the roots of the mulberry tree. For its preparation, you need to take 2 tbsp. bark and pour 500 ml of water. Boil over low heat for half an hour, cool and take 100 ml several times a day before meals.

Mulberry in cosmetology

Mulberry has rejuvenating, moisturizing and cleansing properties, so it is actively used in home beauty recipes. Consider a few effective recipes using mulberry for skin and hair.

For face

1. Freshly squeezed juice with the addition of honey and 1 tsp of lemon juice will make the skin clear, reduce the appearance of age spots and freckles. It is recommended to take a drink of 200 ml per day.
2. By preparing a decoction of mulberry leaves, you can achieve a smoother and softer skin. To do this, you need to wipe your skin with the resulting composition after taking an evening shower.

For hair

1. To treat dandruff and accelerate hair growth are used mulberry berries. To do this, you need to prepare a pulp or juice, apply the composition to the scalp and leave it for 3-5 hours.
2. To preserve the natural color of hair you should prepare a decoction made from the leaves or bark of the mulberry tree: take 0.5 liters of water for 2 tablespoons of leaves or bark and boil. After cooling, you can use the decoction as a hair rinse after washing.
3. For hair restoration, it is recommended to use the pulp or juice of ripe mulberry fruits as a mask, applying it to the hair and holding it for 3-5 hours.

Health Hazards and Contraindications

Silkworm is contraindicated for people who are allergic to this plant. However, this happens very rarely. Generally, the fruits and other parts of the mulberry tree, especially the white variety, do not cause allergies.

Mulberry is contraindicated for people suffering from type 1 diabetes, because it contains a lot of sugar, as well as for those who suffer from chronic diarrhea.

The berries should be selected responsibly. The fact is that mulberries often grow near roads, and dusty fruits are washed and sold at the market.

Harvesting and storage

To harvest mulberries, you need to know how to identify the ripe fruits. It is the ripe, juicy berries that are suitable for drying and harvesting in other ways. Since mulberries do not ripen at the same time, it is necessary to harvest several times. As a rule, all berries become ripe in two to three weeks. The first crop is harvested in early July, picking the berries in the early morning hours when the dew is gone.

It is important to choose warm, sunny weather to pick berries, but on a rainy day it is better to refrain from harvesting mulberries, as they can simply get muddy. The harvest is removed from the lower branches by hand, and from the upper ones - with special devices. After harvesting, the berries are inspected for debris and damaged specimens, washed very carefully, and the clean product is used for preserves.

The most common way to harvest mulberry is drying. The mulberry is dried in a well-ventilated room, where there is no access to direct sunlight, then collected and placed in airtight bags or jars.

Can I freeze?

It is also allowed to freeze the berries. When frozen quickly, it almost does not lose its useful properties and taste, which means that you can get all the valuable substances and enjoy the taste at any time of the year.

How the rest of the plant is harvested

Branches and leaves of the tree are harvested in early summer. It is the young parts of the plant have the maximum content of useful substances. Collect them with a sharp knife, selecting only smooth, beautiful and undamaged leaves and branches. The collected leaves should be sorted again, rinsed with running water and placed on a dry clean surface or hung on a rope until completely dry.

Store harvested berries and other parts of the tree should not exceed 24 months, because it is during this time mulberry is able to preserve all its useful properties.

What can be cooked from mulberry: Recipes

Mulberry is widely used in cooking. From it prepare a variety of desserts and other useful dishes. Let's consider several options for recipes using mulberries.

Jam

To make mulberry jam you need to take 1 kg of berries 1.5 kg of sugar and 2 grams of citric acid. Take the berries, cut off the stalks, rinse, put them in a saucepan, pour sugar and leave for 8 hours. After that, you should keep on low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Then increase the heat, skimming off the foam as it boils. When the jam comes to a good boil, take it off the fire and cool it down a bit. Then add citric acid, stir it and bring it to the boil again. Completely cooled, place the jam in clean and dry containers. If you want to make preparations for the winter, you need to sterilize the jars and spread the jam still hot, making sure that the lids are tight, seal.

Wine

From mulberry turns out not only tasty, but also useful wine. For its preparation you need to take the following ingredients: 2 kg of mulberries, 1.5 kg of sugar, 5 liters of filtered water, 10 g of citric acid or two lemons and 100 g of dark raisins (raisins must not be washed).

Preparation: Pick the berries, rinse, mash a little and leave for an hour to release the juice. The resulting mass of the put in a bowl with a wide neck, add a third of the sugar, citric acid, raisins and water, stir everything, cover with gauze and leave in a dark place at room temperature. Within 2-3 days, stir once a day and remove the foam. Then strain through gauze, squeeze out, and pour the juice into a container for fermentation, add the second part of the sugar, put a glove on the neck (with a small puncture in the finger) and leave in a dark place at 18-25 degrees.

After 5 days, add the remaining sugar, stir and leave for 20-55 days until the glove is no longer filled with air. Now carefully pour the wine into another container without touching the sediment, and leave it to ripen for a few more days. To get a really high-quality and tasty homemade wine, you need to leave it for 4-7 months to mature, periodically getting rid of sediment. When the wine is finally ready, you can add sugar to taste or leave it as is. From the number of ingredients listed in the recipe you get about 5 liters of wine with a strength of 10-12 degrees.

Compote

The recipe for a classic mulberry compote for the winter is quite simple. You need to take 1 kg of berries, a liter of water and 0.5 kg of sugar. In a liter of clean jars to put the berries, cook sugar syrup separately, pour it into the jars, pasteurize containers for 18-20 minutes at 90 degrees, then cork, turn over and cover with a blanket, leaving for the night.

Smoothie

Mulberry smoothie is a delicious diet drink that will suit the taste of many. There are a lot of recipes for making this dessert drink, but each of them is based on the same principle: mulberries can be diluted with other berries, added milk, kefir or other drink and turn everything into a smooth mass using a blender.

The most delicious is a smoothie with mulberries according to the following recipe: take half a ripe banana for 100 grams of berries, 200 ml of kefir or sour milk and 1 tsp. honey. Mix everything with an immersion blender and consume fresh.

Interesting facts about mulberry

1. Depending on the variety, mulberry can live from 75 to several hundred years, and the tree continues to bear fruit throughout its life.
2. The tallest species of mulberry tree is the white mulberry - it often reaches 25 meters in height.
3. One mulberry tree has both female and male flowers. But there are mulberry species where only female or only male berries grow.
4. Some species of mulberry produce berries without pollination.
5. There is a sterile variety of mulberry that is grown for ornamental purposes.
6. The caterpillars of the silk moth (silkworms) feed only on the leaves of the white mulberry.

Photo of mulberry