Ruqayyah Snyder
Mulberry trees are known and cultivated around the world, and there are about 200 species of mulberry. In Australia, the black and white varieties of mulberry are naturalised. Mulberry trees are widespread in Australia, and can be found in Hobart, Darwin, Cairns, and Perth. They are also known to grow near the margins of rainforests, in moist mountain gullies, and are widespread from southeast Queensland through eastern New South Wales and eastern and southern Victoria to King Island in Tasmania. Mulberry trees are also commonly found in neighbourhoods, where children often gather to eat the berries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | Native mulberry, Australian mulberry, djelwuck |
| Scientific name | Hedycarya angustifolia |
| Family | Monimiaceae |
| Region | Eastern Australia |
| Specific locations | Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, Hobart, Darwin, Cairns, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne |
| Tree height | 2–10 m (6 ft 7 in – 32 ft 10 in) |
| Leaf shape | Elliptic or egg-shaped to lance-shaped |
| Leaf size | 40–160 mm (1.6–6.3 in) long, 15–60 mm (0.59–2.36 in) wide |
| Petiole length | 15–40 mm (0.59–1.57 in) |
| Flower type | Male and female flowers on separate plants |
| Male flowers | Branched clusters of 5 to 16, 8 tepals, about 50 stamens |
| Female flowers | About 12 tepals, 40 to 50 carpels |
| Fruit colour | Yellow or orange |
| Fruit shape | Spherical, tightly clustered drupes |
| Root spread | Up to 100 feet |
| Maximum height | 80 feet |
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What You'll Learn
Mulberry trees grow in most Australian neighbourhoods
There are about 200 species of mulberries, but only three are commonly found in Australia: White mulberries (Morus alba) from South East Asia, and Black mulberries (Morus nigra) from the Middle East. These two varieties have been naturalised in Australia. The third common species is the Red mulberry (Morus rubra) from North America. Mulberry trees can get quite big, with roots spreading over 100 feet and growing up to 80 feet tall. They are also prolific fruit producers, with a mature tree yielding 15-25 lbs of fruit.
The Australian mulberry (Hedycarya angustifolia) is not actually a mulberry but a member of the Monimiaceae family, which is unrelated to the mulberry tree. It is a shrub or small tree that grows to a height of 2-10 meters and is endemic to eastern Australia. Native mulberry grows near the margins of rainforests, often in moist mountain gullies, and is widespread from southeast Queensland through eastern New South Wales and eastern and southern Victoria to King Island in Tasmania.
Despite their popularity, mulberry trees are sometimes outlawed by municipal bylaws due to excessive pollen and berries that stain sidewalks and cars. However, with proper placement, mulberry trees can be enjoyed without causing a mess.
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The Australian mulberry is a different species
Mulberry trees are deciduous trees that grow in many temperate regions of the world. They are part of the Morus genus, which consists of 19 species. The three most common species are white, red, and black mulberries, which originate from the colour of their dormant buds. These species are widespread in Greece and North America, and they are also commonly grown in Australian backyards.
However, the Australian mulberry is a different species. Scientifically known as Hedycarya angustifolia, the Australian mulberry is a species of flowering plant in the family Monimiaceae. It is endemic to eastern Australia and grows in rainforests, often in moist mountain gullies. The Australian mulberry is also known as the native mulberry or djelwuck. It is a shrub or small tree that typically grows to a height of 2-10 metres. Its leaves are elliptic or egg-shaped, and its flowers are male and female, borne on separate plants.
Another species of native mulberry in Australia is Pipturus argenteus, which is also from a different family to Moraceae. This species is also known as the silver-leaved mulberry and is native to Eastern Australia. The bark of this tree was used by Indigenous Australians for various purposes, including fishing nets, dyes, and medicine.
Thus, while mulberry trees are widespread and found in many parts of the world, the Australian mulberry is a distinct species with unique characteristics and cultural significance for Indigenous Australians.
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The mulberry is a prolific fruit tree
Mulberry trees are prolific fruit trees, with a long history of human use. They are fast-growing trees that produce an abundance of sweet, juicy berries. The trees can reach impressive sizes, with roots spreading over 100 feet and heights of up to 80 feet. Mulberry season sees the trees laden with fruit, attracting swarms of children and birds alike. The berries are a treat for foragers and have been used for various purposes throughout history, from medicine to folklore.
In Australia, the black and white varieties of mulberry are naturalised and can be found in many neighbourhoods across the country, from Hobart to Darwin and Cairns to Perth. They grow particularly well in the country due to the suitable climate and the presence of birds, which disperse the seeds widely. The native mulberry, or Australian mulberry, is a different species endemic to eastern Australia. Scientifically known as Hedycarya angustifolia, it is a small tree or shrub with yellow or orange fruit that resembles a mulberry. It grows in and near the margins of rainforests, often in moist mountain gullies, and is widespread from southeast Queensland to Tasmania.
The mulberry tree is a generous provider, with a mature tree yielding 15-25 lbs of fruit. Mulberry harvesting is a community affair, bringing people together to enjoy the bounty of nature. However, the tree has a love/hate relationship with humans due to its excessive pollen and berries that can stain sidewalks and cars. Despite this, the mulberry is a versatile tree with cultural significance. In ancient Chinese literature, the sun birds that carried the sun across the sky lived in a mulberry tree, and in India, the mulberry is considered a "kalpavriksha" or divine tree.
The mulberry tree is also famous for its association with silk production. For millennia, silkworms were fed on mulberry leaves, and the resulting cocoons were spun into precious silk. This secret was closely guarded by the Chinese until the first millennium when it spread to other parts of Asia and Europe via the Silk Road. Today, growing silkworms remains a common school activity worldwide, providing students with a first-hand understanding of the process.
Overall, the mulberry is a remarkable tree that offers a plentiful harvest and a deep connection to human culture and history. Its prolific nature makes it a beloved and familiar feature of neighbourhoods across Australia.
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Mulberry trees can grow very tall
Native to eastern Australia, the Hedycarya Angustifolia, commonly known as the native mulberry, Australian mulberry, or djelwuck, is a species of flowering plant that typically grows to a height of 2-10 metres (6 feet 7 inches to 32 feet 10 inches). It is considered a shrub or small tree and is endemic to the region, growing in and near the margins of rainforests, often in moist mountain gullies.
In comparison, the red mulberry tree (Moraceae), native to North America, can reach much greater heights. These deciduous trees typically grow to between 35 and 50 feet tall, but some can even exceed 70 feet in height. Their canopy can spread to a width of up to 40 feet, creating a majestic and expansive round canopy.
Dwarf mulberry trees, on the other hand, are a more compact option for gardens and landscapes. These trees are self-fertile and can be grown as multi-stemmed bushes or trained into small trees. They typically reach a mature size of 6-10 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide, making them suitable for smaller spaces.
White mulberry trees, which are considered invasive in some parts of the United States, can have a lifespan of up to 100 years, though 25 to 50 years is more common for landscape cultivars. During their lifespan, they can grow to considerable heights, but their exact potential height is unclear.
Overall, mulberry trees exhibit a wide range of growth patterns and sizes, with some species capable of reaching impressive heights. Proper care, including adequate sunlight, regular watering, and fertilizing, can promote healthy growth and potentially increase the height of these trees.
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Mulberry trees are associated with folklore and mythology
Mulberry trees, native to eastern Australia, are associated with folklore and mythology. The species, Hedycarya angustifolia, is commonly known as the native mulberry, Australian mulberry, or djelwuck. It typically grows in and near the margins of rainforests, often in moist mountain gullies. The tree is widespread from southeast Queensland through eastern New South Wales and eastern and southern Victoria to King Island in Tasmania.
The mulberry tree has been revered throughout history and is considered by some to be the "tree of life" and the "herb of immortality." It has been valued for its usefulness in food, medicine, and tool-making. The Ancient Greeks dedicated the plant to Athena, and the Romans honoured Minerva with it.
The mulberry tree also features prominently in the tragic love story of Pyramus and Thisbe, who, like Romeo and Juliet, shared a forbidden love. The couple met secretly under a mulberry tree, as their respective parents had forbidden them to wed. Through a crack in the wall that separated their houses, they whispered their love for each other. In one tragic episode, Thisbe arrives first at the mulberry tree but flees upon seeing a lioness with a bloody mouth from a recent kill. Pyramus arrives shortly after and, seeing the lioness's traces and the blood on Thisbe's abandoned cloak, assumes that she has been killed. Heartbroken, he kills himself, splashing blood on the white mulberry leaves and staining the white mulberry fruits dark. Thisbe returns, only to find Pyramus dead under the shade of the mulberry tree.
Ovid shared their story in his "Metamorphoses," and it has been retold and adapted throughout history, including in Bolu Babalola's 2020 anthology, "Love in Color: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold." According to Greek mythology, the Gods turned the mulberry fruits dark as a token of remembrance for the ill-fated lovers.
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Frequently asked questions
Mulberry trees can be found almost everywhere in Australia, from Hobart to Darwin and from Cairns to Perth. They grow in and near the margins of rainforests, often in moist mountain gullies.
In Australia, there are two varieties of naturalised mulberry trees: black and white.
Mulberry trees can grow up to 80 feet tall, with roots spreading over 100 feet. They produce 15-25 lbs of fruit, and their leaves are elliptic or egg-shaped to lance-shaped.
Mulberry trees start producing fruit in mid-June and continue until the latter half of August.
