black mulberry

plant

Also known as: Morus nigra

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Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

The black mulberry (Morus nigra) is a species of mulberry tree native to western Asia. It is primarily cultivated for its large, juicy, purple-black fruits, which are considered superior in flavor to those of the red mulberry. Historically, it was extensively grown in Italy for silkworm cultivation but has since been largely replaced by the white mulberry for that purpose. The black mulberry is now an introduced species in North America. Mulberry plants, in general, belong to the genus Morus and are known for their sweet, edible fruits and their importance as food for silkworms.12

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mulberry
Major species
Black mulberry (M. nigra), the most common species, is a native of western Asia that spread westward in cultivation at an early period. Up to the 15th century it was extensively grown in Italy for raising silkworms, but it has since been superseded by white…
Read More
Black mulberry (M. nigra), the most common species, is a native of western Asia that spread westward in cultivation at an early period. Up to the 15th century it was extensively grown in Italy for raising silkworms, but it has since been superseded by white…
Read More