Texas mulberry facts for kids

Morus celtidifolia, the Texas mulberry, is a plant species native to South America, Central America, Mexico, and the southwestern United States, ranging from Argentina north as far as Arizona and Oklahoma. In the USA, it grows in canyons and on slopes, usually near streams, from 200–2,200 m (660–7,220 ft) elevation. It is very often referred to as "Morus microphylla," including in Flora of North America, but recent studies suggest that these names are synonymous with M. celtidifolia holding priority.

Morus celtidifolia is a shrub or tree, sometimes reaching 7.5 m (25 ft) in height. It has much smaller leaves than the other two species in the United States (M. alba and M. rubra), the blade usually less than 7 cm (2.8 in) long. The edible fruits are red, purple, or nearly black, and are consumed by wildlife, and, historically, by Native Americans. In ancient (probably prehistoric) times, the Havasupai people introduced the species to the Grand Canyon.