Red mulberry is a small to medium tree with variable leaves (some mitten-shaped, some lobed) and sweet, dark red to black fruits that ripen in summer. It is the only native mulberry in the eastern U.S.
Habitat and range
In Maryland, red mulberry grows in rich woods, floodplains, and along edges. It prefers moist, fertile soils and is scattered across the state; it can be outcompeted or hybridized by the introduced white mulberry.
Uses and significance
The fruits are eaten fresh or used in pies and preserves; birds and mammals also consume them. The tree provides food for silkworm larvae and other insects. Red mulberry is declining in parts of its range due to hybridization and habitat loss.