What Is a Mulberry Tree?
The mulberry tree (Morus) is a fruit-bearing tree originally grown in China. The fruit, leaves and other parts of the mulberry tree are used in herbal medicine. Does this Spark an idea?
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Habitat
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In the United States, mulberry trees grow in every state with the exception of Alaska and Nevada, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Types
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There are several types of mulberry tree, including white, black, American or red, Korean and Himalayan, according to the California Rare Fruit Growers Association.
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Appearance
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The mulberry fruit resembles a large blackberry or raspberry and is black, lavender, pink or white. The leaves of the mulberry are almost heart-shaped and are usually have tiny teeth around the edges.
Size
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White mulberries are the tallest type of mulberry tree and can reach heights of 80 feet, while black mulberries are the smallest at an average of 30 feet.
Considerations
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In herbal medicine, the mulberry tree is used for a variety of purposes, such as gastrointestinal distress, urinary tract infections and sinusitis. While generally safe as a fruit, Noni juice products made from mulberries have the potential to cause liver problems in some people, according to RxList.com.
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