White mulberry (White mulberry)
Appearance: A small tree that sheds its leaves for winter, with a height of approximately 10-15 m, with crown milk narrow, High, looking fragile, not so wide and sprawling, as in the previous species,
branches, looking quite sękato, at the same time, however, very mato resistant, can be slightly broken off.
Brownish-red or greenish-gray bark, with flat depressions of arched course. Shoots are quite straight and thin, initially slightly velvety pubescent, later balding. Narrow-conical and much smaller buds, than in black mulberry.
The leaves have 7-18 cm in length and about 8 cm wide and are very different in shape: not divided or divided into numerous flaps, at the base always heart-shaped indented, and on the shore coarsely sawn. Quite soft to the touch, flat and thin, slightly shiny from above, green and naked, from the bottom – almost naked or with hair only on larger nerves. Petiole about a length of 2 cm, stronger hairy, has a gutter groove on top.
Male flowers in long-edelous, light yellow kittens. Female inflorescences, on the other hand, are rather head-shaped and straight erect. Whitish or light pink cyanobacteria are edible, but with blurred, poor aroma and taste.
Occurrence: White mulberry comes from China, however, it has been planted for centuries in the Mediterranean area and in warmer regions of Central Europe, because it is one of the most important food plants for silkworm caterpillars. The collection of white mulberry leaves for feeding silkworms is a tradition taken from East Asia and is still taking place on a large scale in France today. During the Second World War, silkworm breeding was also to be introduced in Germany.. Since then, the not uncommon presence of white mulberry in school gardens has been dated. Wanting to get the largest possible collection of leaves from the smallest possible production area, trees are often pruned, so that they branch more densely. Silkworm breeding in Europe has been carried out since the sixteenth century., which is confirmed by historical sources. A related species: Madura pomifera belongs to the same family – a peculiar dioecious shrub or a small tree up to about a height 10 meters. Oval leaves, with slim, short top, full edge, a little shiny on top, with very slim, pointed thorns at the leaf and at the base. Spherical female inflorescences develop into collective fruits, which in appearance resemble a great, wrinkled lemon or orange and are inedible. The homeland of this tree is central North America; it also appears here and there as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens., Zigzag branches give it a very decorative look.