Mûrier

Mûrier, the French name for the mulberry tree, refers to several species within the genus Morus in the family Moraceae. Native to warm temperate regions of Asia, mulberries have been cultivated for centuries for their edible fruit and for their leaves, which serve as the primary food source for silkworms in sericulture.

The three most widely cultivated species are Morus alba (white mulberry), Morus nigra (black mulberry), and Morus rubra (red mulberry). Mulberry trees are deciduous and can grow to a medium or large size, often several meters tall with a broad, spreading crown. They are fast-growing and adaptable to a range of soils, though they prefer well-drained sites. Leaves are highly variable in shape and size, a trait that different cultivars exploit for feeding silkworms or for ornamental use. The fruit is an aggregate of small drupes and can range in color from white to red to dark purple or black, depending on the species and cultivar.

Uses of the mulberry are diverse. The ripe fruit is eaten fresh or processed into jams, jellies, wines, and desserts. Leaves are globally important in sericulture, supporting the lifecycle of Bombyx mori. In addition, mulberry wood is used for furniture, turned objects, and carpentry due to its pale color and workability. The tree holds cultural significance in many regions and remains valued both for fruit production and for ornamental and silvicultural purposes.