Morus serrata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Morus serrata |
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The Himalayan mulberry (scientific name: Morus serrata) is a special kind of mulberry tree. It grows naturally in the amazing Himalayas and the mountains of southwestern China. You can find these trees high up, sometimes as high as 2,300 meters (about 7,500 feet) above sea level!
What is a Himalayan Mulberry Tree?
The Himalayan mulberry is a small deciduous tree. This means it's a tree that loses its leaves every autumn, just like many trees you see in parks or forests. It can grow up to 15 meters (about 49 feet) tall, which is roughly the height of a four-story building!
Leaves and Branches
The leaves of the Himalayan mulberry are quite interesting. They are usually 10 to 14 centimeters (about 4 to 5.5 inches) long and 6 to 10 centimeters (about 2.5 to 4 inches) wide. If you look closely at the underside of a leaf, you'll see it's quite hairy, especially along the veins. But the top surface of the leaf is smooth and doesn't have any hairs.
Delicious Fruit
One of the most exciting parts of the Himalayan mulberry is its fruit! The fruit is edible, which means you can eat it. It's not just one berry, but a "compound cluster" of many small fruits joined together. Each fruit is about 2 to 3 centimeters (about 0.8 to 1.2 inches) long. When the fruit is ripe and ready to eat, it turns a bright red color. It's a bit like a tiny, sweet berry!
Family Connections
Some scientists and plant experts think that the Himalayan mulberry might be a type or "subspecies" of the white mulberry. It also looks quite similar to the black mulberry. This shows how different types of mulberry trees can be related and share common features.
