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Morus rubra 'Collier'

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
MOR-russ ROO-bruh
Description

Collier red mulberry is a native tree species and has both edible and ornamental features. It is a hybrid between red mulberry and white mulberry. It can live up to 125 years but the weedy invasive character is not appealing. It is more cold hardy than black mulberry.

Female trees are often considered undesirable in urban areas because the fruit is messy and stains pavements, automobiles and areas around the home. Stains may also be unwittingly brought indoors on the bottom of shoes. Do not plant this tree in the home landscape if you object to the mess typically caused by the fruit. Non-fruiting cultivars of the similar M. alba may be a better choice.

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Borers may be a problem particularly in the South. Whiteflies mass on some trees. Bacterial blight may kill foliage/branches. Coral spot cankers may cause twig dieback. Bacterial leaf scorch, powdery mildew, root rot, and witches broom may also occur. Watch for scale, mites, and mealybugs. Weedy self-seeding and messy fruit are concerns.

More information on Morus rubra.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#messy#deer resistant#edible garden#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#messy#deer resistant#edible garden#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Morus
    Species:
    rubra
    Family:
    Moraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Distribution:
    It is native to rich woods, bottomlands and wood margins from Massachusetts, southern Ontario and Minnesota south to Florida and Texas.
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant is moderately resistant to damage from deer.  It is a possible host plant for the Red Admiral butterfly.  Its fruits are eaten by many birds, especially gray catbirds and northern mockingbirds, foxes, opossums, raccoons, and squirrels.
    Edibility:
    Fruits are also used for jellies, jams, and wines.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Produces numerous reddish-black fruit that looks like a blackberry but slender with a size of 1 1/4''
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Catkin
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    Small catkin-like spikes that appear in early spring with male and female flowers usually appearing on separate trees (dioecious).
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    dark green leaves (to 5” long) with heart-shaped bases. The leaves can be quite variable, however, ranging from unlobed to deeply lobed and from rough-textured to glabrous on the upper surfaces. The upper surface is rough and under surface is full of soft hair.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Red/Burgundy
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Milky sap
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought