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White Mulberry

Morus alba

Found in disturbed areas, vacant lots, roadsides, moist forests. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), South Central edition What its natural habitat tells you

-55
Severe harm

Not native to Mississippi. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 82%

Height
30–60 feet
Spread
30–50 feet
Light
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Usually moist
See native alternatives

Do not plant. Listed invasive in Mississippi.

Plant this instead

Choose your county to list local plants first.

  • Blackjack Oak
    Quercus marilandica

    Sun: Full sun. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Yellow or green.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

  • Bluejack Oak
    Quercus incana

    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Dry to somewhat dry. Flowers: Yellow or green.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

  • Post Oak
    Quercus stellata

    Sun: Full sun. Soil: Dry to average. Flowers: Brown/copper, yellow or green.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

Refine these alternatives in the finder

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At a glance

Life cycle
Woody perennial
Leaves
Deciduous
Bloom
March to May
Fruiting season
May to June

Recorded in 15 Mississippi counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

Moist forests

Forests on moist but not wet ground, such as rich slopes and ravines.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

9CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including MS

Genus host records with ranges including MS · Morus

  • Automeris ioIo Moth
  • Dryocampa rubicundaRosy Maple Moth, Green-Striped Mapleworm, Rosy Dryocampa
  • Euzophera semifuneralisAmerican Plum Borer
  • Glyphodes pyloalisBeautiful Glyphodes, Mulberry Moth
  • Glyphodes sibillalisMulberry Leaftier
  • Hyalophora cecropiaCecropia Silkmoth, Cecropia Moth
  • Hyphantria cuneaFall Webworm
  • Nymphalis antiopaMourning Cloak
  • Orgyia leucostigmaWhite-Marked Tussock Moth
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
14BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Morus

  • Bombycilla cedrorumCedar Waxwing
  • Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin
  • Cardinalis cardinalisNorthern Cardinal
  • Catharus guttatusHermit Thrush
  • Catharus ustulatusSwainson's Thrush
  • Hylocichla mustelinaWood Thrush
  • Melanerpes carolinusRed-bellied Woodpecker
  • Melanerpes erythrocephalusRed-headed Woodpecker
  • Piranga ludovicianaWestern Tanager
  • Sialia sialisEastern Bluebird
Show all 14
  • Tyrannus tyrannusEastern Kingbird
  • Vireo griseusWhite-eyed Vireo
  • Vireo olivaceusRed-eyed Vireo
  • Zenaida asiaticaWhite-winged Dove
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Moraceae
Hardiness
Zones 4a–8b
Soil pH
Acidic to alkaline
Flower color
Green
Growth rate
Moderate
Growth habit
Single stem
Foliage color
Green
Fruit begins
May
Fruit ends
June

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Conservation status

Mississippi rankSNA
Global rankGNR
MS statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources