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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Morus cathayana is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary; Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves
Edible Uses: Tea

Fruit - raw or cooked[177]. The fruit is about 25mm in diameter[200]. Leaves - cooked[177]. A tea is made from the leaves[177].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a warm well-drained loamy soil in a sunny position[1, 11]. Two trees at Kew in mid-July 1994 had reasonable crops of fairly long thin fruits with a pleasant flavour[K]. Mulberries have brittle roots and so need to be handled with care when planting them out[238]. Any pruning should only be carried out in the winter when the plant is fully dormant because mulberries bleed badly when cut[238]. Ideally prune only badly placed branches and dead wood[238]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

The seed germinates best if given 2 - 3 months cold stratification[80, 98]. Sow the seed as soon as it is ripe if possible, otherwise in February in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in the first spring, though it sometimes takes another 12 months. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Plant out in spring. A good percentage take, though they sometimes fail to thrive[78, 113]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 25 - 30cm with a heel of 2 year old wood, autumn or early spring in a cold frame or a shady bed outside[78, 113, 200]. Bury the cuttings to threequarters of their depth. Layering in autumn[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Morus alba	White Mulberry, Common Mulberry,	Tree	18.0	4-10	M	LMH	SN	M	4	3	4
Morus alba multicaulis	White Mulberry	Tree	18.0	4-8		LMH	SN	M	4	3	2
Morus australis	Korean Mulberry, Aino Mulberry	Tree	7.5	6-9	F	LMH	SN	M	2	2	1
Morus bombycis	Kuwa	Tree	8.0	5-9		LMH	SN	M	2	2	1
Morus macroura	Himalayan Mulberry	Tree	10.0	7-10		LMH	SN	M	2	1	2
Morus mesozygia	African mulberry	Tree	30.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	M	2	3	4
Morus microphylla	Texas Mulberry	Tree	6.0	5-9		LMH	SN	M	2	0	2
Morus mongolica	Mongolian Mulberry	Tree	7.5	4-8		LMH	SN	M	2	1	2
Morus nigra	Black Mulberry	Tree	10.0	5-10	S	LMH	SN	M	5	3	3
Morus rubra	Red Mulberry, Common Mulberry, White Mulberry	Tree	15.0	4-9		LMH	SN	M	3	2	2
Morus serrata	Himalayan Mulberry	Tree	20.0	-		LMH	SN	M	2	1	2
Morus species	Mulberry	Tree	10.0	0-0	M	LMH	SN	M	4	0	4
Rubus chamaemorus	Cloudberry	Perennial	0.3	2-4		LMH	N	MWe	4	1	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Morus cathayana - Hemsl.