Morus alba
White mulberry
(c) Karim Haddad, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Karim Haddad · licence
Family: Moraceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Not Native
Morus alba (White mulberry) is a non-native California shrub / tree in the Moraceae family, recognized by Chinese introduction originally cultivated for silkworms, now naturalized in suitable habitats.
White mulberry is a naturalized tree found in the Sierra Nevada Foothills, Great Valley, and Western Transverse Ranges in disturbed areas, moist soil, and streambanks at elevations below 1,300 meters. Flowering from March to May, this tree produces white to pink or red-black fruits 1 to 2.5 centimeters long. Growing 10 to 15 meters tall with spreading branches, it has a distinctive growth habit that allows it to thrive in varied landscapes. Its leaves are ovate, 5 to 12 centimeters long, with coarse teeth and occasional shallow lobes, typically glabrous on the underside except in vein axils. The fleshy, color-changing fruits make this tree a notable presence in disturbed ecological settings.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Chinese introduction originally cultivated for silkworms, now naturalized in suitable habitats
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas, moist soil, streambanks
Elevation: < 1300 m
Outside California: native to China
Bloom period
Morus alba blooms Mar-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Acer: Morus has segmented blackberry-like fruits; Acer has paired winged samaras and opposite leaves.; vs Ficus: Morus has segmented fruits and scaly buds; Ficus has hollow fig fruits and cone-shaped bud covers.; vs Quercus: Morus has soft blackberry-like fruits; Quercus has hard acorns in cups and clustered buds at twig tips.; vs Prunus: Morus has compound segmented fruits; Prunus has single smooth drupes with a pit inside.; vs Fatoua: Morus is a tree with blackberry-like fruits; Fatoua is a small herb with tiny clustered achenes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Morus alba native to California?
No. Morus alba is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Morus alba bloom?
Morus alba blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Morus alba belong to?
Morus alba is in the Moraceae family, genus Morus.
What habitat does Morus alba grow in?
Morus alba grows in Disturbed areas, moist soil, streambanks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.