Mulberry Tree

Morus alba

Beng/Hindi: toot

A small tree with a spreading irregular crown with leaves that resemble Chinese rose (joba) but sometimes lobed. Originally from china but cultivated in India since so long that it has become naturalized

Bark: brown rough with vertical furrows

Leaf:  variable, but margin always toothed with a small, protruded tip, resembles Chinese rose leaves to some extent. Often lobed.

Fruit: Succulent berries crowded together on short spikes, usually red when almost ripe and blackish when fully ripe.

Season: The trees are almost leafless for a short period at the end of the cold season. The flowers & new leaves are produced in Feb and Mar and the fruits ripen very quickly.

Range/habitat: Originally from China & Japan but has been cultivated and naturalized over millennia.

Trivia and notes: Leaves of this tree are commercially used for feeding silkworm. Fruit eating birds congregate in large numbers to eat berries.

Where to Find: Very common in Rabindra sarobar, but mostly on the southern side of the lake. One some 75 meters from the BRC gate close to the tar road on your left, that is towards the lake. GPS: 22.50944N,88.35611E