Morus (plant)
Illustration of Morus nigra, Mulberries
The mulberries or mulberry trees (Morus ) are like the figs ( Ficus ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family of the mulberry family ( Moraceae ).
- 6.1 Single References
- 6.2 Literature
Dissemination
With twelve naturally occurring species, the genus was originally spread throughout the temperate and subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with the exception of Europe. Mulberries but were disseminated at this time of the Romans in all warmer regions of Europe, the climate are also suitable for viticulture.
The three most well known European species are White Mulberry and Black Mulberry (both from Asia) and the Red Mulberry ( from North America ).
Description
Mulberries are deciduous trees or shrubs that reach heights of growth 6-15 meters. To perform a milky white and have a gray-brown bark. The leaf shape can vary considerably even on the same tree. Stipules are always present, but may fall prematurely.
Morus species are monoecious ( monoecious ) or dioecious ( dioecious ) getrenntgeschlechtig. The flowers are cruciform. Male flowers have four stamens.
Use
The green leaves of the white mulberry are used for breeding of the silk moth and were the primary purpose for which the mulberry- trees have been introduced to Europe, whole landscapes - mainly in southern Europe - were with mulberry, sericulture and marked by the production of silk. In Prussia were for this reason white mulberries along boulevards planted on marketplaces and schoolyards. Cheap silk imports from Southeast Asia in the early 20th century made the European sericulture and therefore also the European mulberry trees superfluous and crowd them out of avenues where they were often found. The leaves are also used in the form of a tea infusion for the treatment of bladder and urinary tract infection.
Wood and Paper
The wood of the white mulberry is highly valued as a tough, durable and well polished. In parks and gardens in the German speaking mostly ornamental forms of the White Mulberry are planted, because it is winter harder than the Black and strongly coloring fruit of the Black Mulberry near traffic areas are undesirable. The red mulberry is there still virtually unknown, although it is considered to be the hardiest species.
The as Kozu (楮, Kozo ) known fibers of the wood used in the production of Japanese paper use. In addition, the wood is used in the Mediterranean region for the production of liquor and wine barrels. In the Southeast Asian region (Thailand, Laos, Burma), the bark is processed into handmade paper. This mulberry paper it serves as material for handmade papers, photo albums, boxes and paper flowers.
From the tree trunks in Asian countries (especially in Turkey and the Persian -speaking ) quality musical instruments ( stringed instruments ) as the saz, baglama or Cura are produced.
Fruits
The fruits of the three types mentioned are edible. The look is reminiscent of elongated blackberries, the color ranges from cream ( White mulberry ) to red to black. However, the type can not be determined on the fruit color, as there are also white mulberry with dark fruits. Mulberry fruits are very sweet and juicy, with the White Mulberry is considered partly as fade, while the Red and Black Mulberry are more intense in taste and aromatic. The fruits on the tree ripen gradually over several weeks and therefore can not be harvested at the same time. In some countries you put towels or sheets under the trees, the mature mulberries then fall down when shaken, while the immature fruits remain on the branches. As market fruit fresh mulberries have virtually no value because they are too soft and juicy for the transport and spoil too quickly.
The dried mulberry acquired in Germany slowly increased popularity. Their taste is similar about the raisins, but leaves no aftertaste. The mulberries lose their color when dried and see sand color to transparent out to be very firm and have a rough outer shell.
System
The genus includes about 10 to 15 species. Here is a list of types:
- White mulberry (Morus alba L., syn. Morus alba tatarica f Ser, Morus alba var constantinopolitana Loudon, Morus alba var multicaulis ( Perr. ) Loudon, Morus indica L. and Morus multicaulis Perr. )
- Morus australis Poir. ( Syn: Morus acidosa handle. )
- Morus bombycis Koidz. ( Syn: Morus kagayamae Koidz.
- Morus cathayana Hemsley
- Morus celtidifolia Kunth
- Morus liboensis S.S.Chang
- Morus macroura Miq. ( Syn: Morus laevigata Wall ex Brandis. )
- Morus mesozygia Stapf
- Morus mongolica ( Bureau) C.K.Schneid. ( Syn: Morus alba var mongolica Bureau. )
- Black Mulberry (Morus nigra L.)
- Morus notabilis C.K.Schneider
- Red Mulberry (Morus rubra L.)
- Morus serrata Roxb.
- Morus trilobata ( S.S.Chang ) Z.Y.Cao
The following described species are currently assigned to other genera:
- Morus calva H.Léveillé: now Coriaria sinica Is Maximowicz
- Morus mairei H.Léveillé: Is now Acalypha mairei ( H.Léveillé ) Schneider
- Morus excelsa Welw. Milicia excelsa Is now ( Welw. ) CCBerg
- Morus papyrifera L.: Is now Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) Vent, . see Paper Mulberry
- Morus tinctoria: Maclura tinctoria now (L.) D.Don Is ex Steud, . see Dyer's mulberry tree
Others
In the medical field is often referred to in the form of mulberry. Thus, the appearance of gallstones is compared with the mulberries. The fertilized egg is called the 32- cell stage, ie after fertilization by the sperm and before implantation in the uterine lining, as morula or mulberry germ.
Black mulberries are also processed into syrup for soft drinks.
Mulberry trees are mentioned once in Ovid's Metamorphoses: In Pyramus and Thisbe is told that the color of the mulberries was originally white and the blood that Pyramus shed, moved into the roots of the tree and colored purple mulberries. In the Bible the mulberry tree is called eight times, taking mostly the mulberry fig is meant.
Since 1024 is in the Benedictine Abbey Brauweiler the millennial mulberry tree, under whose feet the legend, the daughter of Emperor Otto II, Matilda, the founding of the monastery decided.
Also in the heraldry of the mulberry tree with the fruit made it as a coat of arms figure in the coat of arms. Example is the coat of arms of Erkner with the description: ". The blue shield a golden slant right bar covered by a black rooted mulberry tree with green leaves and two silver mulberries "