Morus (plant)

Morus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Moraceae, consisting of 17 species of deciduous trees commonly known as mulberries, growing wild and under cultivation in many warm-temperate world regions. Generally, the genus has 64 subordinate taxa; although the three of most common are referred to as white, red, and black, originating from the colour of their dormant buds, and not necessarily the fruit colour (Morus alba, M. rubra, and M. nigra, respectively), with numerous cultivars and some taxa currently unchecked and awaiting taxonomic scrutiny. Morus alba is native to China, but is widely cultivated and often naturalised across Europe, Southern Africa, South America, and North America; it is also the species most preferred by the silkworm. It is regarded as an invasive species in Brazil, the United States and some states of Australia. Species in the closely related genus Broussonetia are also commonly known as mulberries, notably the paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera). Despite their similar appearance, mulberries are not closely related to raspberries or blackberries. All three species belong to the order Rosales, but while the mulberry is a tree belonging to the family Moraceae (also including the fig, jackfruit, and other fruits), raspberries and blackberries are brambles and belong to the family Rosaceae.