Scientific Name
Morus rubra
Common Name
Red mulberry

CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.

Characteristics

Family
Moraceae
Plant Description
Deciduous trees with alternate, simple, toothed leaves, either unlobed, mitten-shaped, or 3-lobed, rough above and hairy below; flowers small in a tight cluster; fruit purple-black, clustered like a blackberry.
Origin
USA, NC
Distribution
Throughout.
Where Found
Forest or natural areas, in moist woods, fencerows.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
Unripe fruit and milky sap from all parts.
Symptoms
Hallucinations and stomach upset.
Edibility
EDIBLE PARTS: Ripe fruits are eaten raw or made into pies, jellies, or jams. Also used in breads, muffins, and cakes. SOURCE: Angier, B. 1974. Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pa, 255 pp. Elias, T.S. and P.A. Dykeman. 1982. Field Guide to North American Edible Wild Plants. Outdoor Life Books, New York, 286 pp.
Toxic Principle
Unidentified.
Severity
CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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