Black mulberry
Morus nigrafam. Moraceae
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Pl. 8C56 — Morus nigra
Morus nigraMorus nigraMorus nigraMorus nigraMorus nigraMorus nigraMorus nigraMorus nigraMorus nigraMorus nigraMorus nigraMorus nigraMorus nigraMorus nigra
IOverview
Overview
Black mulberry (Morus nigra), a member of the Moraceae family, is a shrub or small tree native to Iran and now cultivated in various regions including Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, and beyond. This adaptable plant thrives in light to heavy soils with a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5, making it suitable for well-drained conditions. The black mulberry is known for its edible fruits, which are typically consumed raw or dried, and its shoots, which can be cooked before consumption. In traditional medicine, the plant's leaves and fruits are used for immune support, particularly for nourishing blood and lymph, as supported by both Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and European folk practices. The plant's light requirement of 8/10 suggests it prefers some shade but can tolerate full sun. With a height of up to 10 meters and a width of 4.5 meters, black mulberry is a notable addition to gardens seeking both ornamental and edible benefits. Its cultivation is relatively straightforward, with moderate care required to ensure optimal growth.
Quick answers
What is Black mulberry?
Black mulberry (Morus nigra), a member of the Moraceae family, is a shrub or small tree native to Iran and now cultivated in various regions including Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, and beyond. This adaptable plant thrives in light to heavy soils with a pH range of 5.
What is Black mulberry used for?
Traditionally used for immune support. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Black mulberry
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · traditional-use context
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · traditional-use contextTraditional-use context
These notes are presented as ethnobotanical context. No cited clinical references are catalogued for this plant yet.
- Traditional use: black mulberry leaf + fruit for blood/lymph nourishment. TCM + folk European.
Anthocyanins + DNJ
▲ LimitedImmune support →
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Immune Support Blend
immunetincture
Traditional use for blood and lymph nourishment.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
The Black mulberry is a perennial shrub or tree that thrives in temperate regions with moderate care. It prefers light conditions, rating 8 out of 10, and requires moist soil to grow well. The ideal soil mix for this plant consists of light sandy, medium, and heavy clay types. Watering should be done carefully, as the mulberry is sensitive to overwatering. With a height of 10 meters and a spread of 4.5 meters, it can grow quite large. It's hardy in zones 5-9 and can be propagated through its edible parts, such as fruit and shoots.
Light
8/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
5-9
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Shrub, Tree
Mature size
10.0 m × 4.5 m
Soil pH
5.5–6.5
Seasonal calendar
Northern hemisphere · UTC month is November
winterspringsummerautumnwinter
BloomJFMAMJJASOND
For first-time growers
How to grow Black mulberry for the first time
8steps
Start with planting a young Black mulberry tree for the best beginner experience.
- 1
What you'll need
A young Black mulberry sapling, garden gloves, and a trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring or fall when temperatures are mild.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure the soil is well-draining with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5, and loosen it to a depth of about 30 cm.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant the sapling into a hole larger than its root ball, backfill with soil, and water thoroughly.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Monitor for signs of stress such as wilting.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly during dry spells, mulch to retain moisture, and prune lightly in late winter or early spring.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune the tree annually to maintain shape and remove dead branches. Harvest fruit when ripe.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy clay soil, neglecting regular pruning, and not providing enough sunlight.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FruitShoots
Edible uses: The fruit of the Black mulberry is edible and typically consumed raw or dried. The shoots can also be eaten, often cooked before consumption. In some cases, a tea may be made from the plant's parts, but this usage is not specified in the data provided. The fruit is commonly found in Iran, where it grows as a shrub or tree, and its edible parts thrive in light to heavy soils with a slightly acidic pH range of 5.5-6.5.
Other uses:DyeFiberLumber
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
1 native · 32 introduced
Distribution
1 native · 32 introducedDistribution across4 continents· 1 native· 32 introduced
Europe7 regions
introduced (7)AlbaniaBulgariaGreeceItalyPortugalRomaniaSpain
Asia10 regions
native (1)Iran
introduced (9)AfghanistanChinaIndiaIraqKazakhstanTurkeyTurkmenistanUzbekistanVietnam
Americas2 regions
introduced (2)CubaPuerto Rico
Africa4 regions
introduced (4)AlgeriaLibyaMoroccoTunisia
Broader regions
introduced:Bermuda, Kirgizstan, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Leeward Is., Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, West Himalaya, Windward Is.
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Moraceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Moraceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
Native to
XII
About this entry
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