Morus nigra: Difference between revisions
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==Cultivation and uses== |
==Cultivation and uses== |
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Black mulberry has long been cultivated for its edible fruit and is planted and often [[naturalisation (biology)|naturalised]] west across much of [[Europe]], including [[Ukraine]], and east into [[China]]. Multiple fruits of the [[Iran|Persian]] or black mulberry become purplish-black at maturity. Black, red and white mulberry are widespread in northern [[India]], [[Pakistan]], [[Iran]] and [[Afghanistan]], where the tree and the fruit are known by the [[Persian language|Persian]]-derived names ''toot'' (mulberry) or '' |
Black mulberry has long been cultivated for its edible fruit and is planted and often [[naturalisation (biology)|naturalised]] west across much of [[Europe]], including [[Ukraine]], and east into [[China]]. Multiple fruits of the [[Iran|Persian]] or black mulberry become purplish-black at maturity. Black, red and white mulberry are widespread in northern [[India]], [[Pakistan]], [[Iran]] and [[Afghanistan]], where the tree and the fruit are known by the [[Persian language|Persian]]-derived names ''toot'' (mulberry) or ''shittoot'' (شاه توت) (king's or "superior" mulberry). [[Jam]]s and [[sherbet]]s are often made from the fruit in this region. The black mulberry was imported into Britain in the 17th century in the hope that it would be useful in the cultivation of silkworms. |
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==Gallery== |
==Gallery== |
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Revision as of 04:15, 11 May 2010
| Morus nigra | |
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| Species: | M. nigra
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| Morus nigra | |
Black mulberry (Morus nigra) is a species of mulberry. It is native to southwestern Asia, where it has been cultivated for so long that its precise natural range is unknown.
Growth
It is a small deciduous tree growing to 10–13 metres (33–43 ft) tall. The leaves are 10–20 centimetres (3.9–7.9 in) long and 6–10 centimetres (2.4–3.9 in) broad (up to 23 centimetres (9.1 in) long on vigorous shoots), downy on the underside, the upper surface rough with very short, stiff hairs. The edible fruit is dark purple, almost black, when ripe, 2–3 centimetres (0.8–1.2 in) long, a compound cluster of several small drupes; it is richly flavoured, similar to the Red Mulberry (Morus rubra) but unlike the more insipid fruit of the White Mulberry (Morus alba).
Cultivation and uses
Black mulberry has long been cultivated for its edible fruit and is planted and often naturalised west across much of Europe, including Ukraine, and east into China. Multiple fruits of the Persian or black mulberry become purplish-black at maturity. Black, red and white mulberry are widespread in northern India, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan, where the tree and the fruit are known by the Persian-derived names toot (mulberry) or shittoot (شاه توت) (king's or "superior" mulberry). Jams and sherbets are often made from the fruit in this region. The black mulberry was imported into Britain in the 17th century in the hope that it would be useful in the cultivation of silkworms.
Gallery
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Foliage and immature fruit -
Unripe shahtoot (Iran) -
Full-grown shahtoot
References
