Morus rubra 'Townsend'

• Attributes:

  Genus:

  Morus

  Species:

  rubra

  Family:

  Moraceae

  Life Cycle:

  Woody

  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.

• Whole Plant Traits:

  Plant Type:

  Edible

  Tree

  Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

  Deciduous

  Habit/Form:

  Erect

  Oval

  Growth Rate:

  Rapid

  Texture:

  Medium

• Cultural Conditions:

  Soil Texture:

  Clay

  Sand

  Soil Drainage:

  Good Drainage

  Available Space To Plant:

  12-24 feet

  NC Region:

  Coastal

  Mountains

  Piedmont

  USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:

  4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

• Fruit:

  Fruit Color:

  Black

  Fruit Value To Gardener:

  Edible

  Fruit Type:

  Berry

  Fruit Length:

  1-3 inches

  Fruit Description:

  Numerous sweet fruit that looks like the blackberry but slender.

• Flowers:

  Flower Color:

  Green

  Flower Inflorescence:

  Insignificant

  Flower Bloom Time:

  Spring

  Flower Description:

  The small yellowish-green flower of the Townsend red mulberry is not showy. Male flower and female flower can bloom on the same tree or different trees.

• Leaves:

  Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

  Deciduous

  Leaf Color:

  Green

  Leaf Feel:

  Rough

  Velvety

  Leaf Type:

  Simple

  Leaf Arrangement:

  Alternate

  Leaf Margin:

  Serrate

  Hairs Present:

  Yes

  Leaf Description:

  Alternate broad simple green leaves with a notch at the base and a finely serrated margin. The upper surface is rough and under surface is full of soft hair.

• Stem:

  Stem Is Aromatic:

  No

• Landscape:

  Landscape Location:

  Meadow

  Naturalized Area

  Landscape Theme:

  Drought Tolerant Garden

  Edible Garden

  Attracts:

  Butterflies

  Songbirds

  Resistance To Challenges:

  Deer

  Drought

  Problems:

  Weedy