A tree native to warm temperate Asia, probably of mountainous China where it can reach more than 20 m. Now widely cultivated in Africa where it is much smaller, sometimes naturalized. It tolerates drought and heat once established. It has been grown in Uganda as a back-yard bush for jam and jellies. Now abundantly grown for silkworms in Central and Western Regions. In Kampala, White mulberry can be found within Uganda Golf course club, Makerere University among other places.

White mulberry is usually small but can reach 25 m; loosely rounded in shape. It has a fairly cylindrical, straight bole up to 50cm in diameter and free of buttresses.

BARK: shallowly furrowed and has long, narrow ridges. Young bark along the trunk is often bright orange in color. Older bark is gray with narrow, irregular fissures.

LEAVES: very variable in shape, even on one branch; oval to 3lobed or heart shaped, 5-15 cm long, 3 veins from the base, edge roughly toothed, tip pointed, on stalks to 5 cm, upper leaf smooth, but some hairs on veins below at least.

FLOWERS: sexes separate, small and greenish, in drooping spikes.

FRUIT: compound, about 2 cm long, white-pink or red, black, sweet and juicy but rather tasteless.

Edible: the sweet fruit is eaten, fruit can be used as a raisin substitute, young leaves and shoots can be cooked as a vegetable, Inner bark can be roasted and ground into a meal then used as a thickener in soups etc. or mixed with cereals when making bread, young shoots can be used as a tea substitute. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php id=Morus+alba

Medicine: leaves, stems, fruit, root bark, and bark. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php id=Morus+alba

Agroforestry: can be grown as a part of a shelterbelt, used for erosion control and in reforestation projects, provides fodder, provides bee forage, leaves can be fed to silk worm feed.

A fiber from the bark of one-year-old stems is used in weaving clothes etc.

The stem bark is used for paper making.

The twigs are used as binding material and for making baskets.

A brown dye is obtained from the trunk.

An essential oil is obtained from the fruit.

The leaves contain 10% tannin.

The wood is an excellent source of ethanol.

Provides wood which is used for construction, boat building, furniture, agricultural implements, posts, beams, flooring, bridge building, cabinet work, and turnery, especially picker arms, bobbins and tool handles. It is also much valued for making sports equipment such as tennis rackets and cricket bats.

Provides fuel.