Riyadh Plants
Black Mulberry, toot
Morus nigra has the common name Black Mulberry, in Arabic toot. It is a tree with deciduous foliage. Black Mulberry originates from West Asia and prefers a temperate climate. Mulberry was the host of the caterpillar that has been used for the production of silk. It grows to a height and spread of between 6 and 15 metres. The crown has a round regular shape. The leaves are dark green and cottony (pubescent) underneath. They are arranged alternately, with an ovate form and serrate margins. The flower is inconspicuous, but the fruit appears raspberry-like in a black purple egg-shaped berry. The fruit sap is very intense in colour, a consideration for their use next to footpaths, because of possible stains on the paving. Fruitless varieties are therefore more suitable in landscape design. The fruit is edible. The Mulberry likes penetrable, limey soils. The tree is propagated by seeds. Morus can withstand urban microclimates, but is vulnerable to desiccation. It therefore needs good irrigation with low salinity. Because of its requirements, the Black Mulberry is advisable for more sheltered situations, where microclimates provide air humidity, such as lawned areas. Morus can suffer from frost, and shelter against frost damage is advisable for young trees. Its use in urban design can be seen in public open space and park plantations, as well as in private parks. Morus is appealing as a specimen tree or in grouped planting. The tree has low maintenance requirements. Normally, pruning is not necessary with this slow-growing tree.
