Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Morus alba L. var. multicaulis

For detail see Morus alba L.  Multicaulis, meaning many-stemmed, is a suckering shrub with much larger, coarsely toothed leaves to 35cm, and fruit nearly black when ripe. ‘Famous for its part in the historic attempts at silk-raising in North America.’  [Hortus Second].

Horticultural & Botanical History

Forms such as multicaulis are generally used for silk production.  The photograph, taken outside Dalat in the hills of central Vietnam, shows a suckering form of Morus alba, probably very similar to multicaulis.  

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.687/1850].  Almost certainly grown at Camden Park as part of an attempt to set up a silk industry.

Notes

Published Mar 18, 2010 - 04:36 PM | Last updated Mar 18, 2010 - 04:43 PM

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The photograph shows a plantation of suckering white mulberries in Vietnam. Photograph Colin Mills.

The photograph shows a suckering form of Morus alba, probably very similar to multicaulis. Colin Mills. 

Family Moraceae
Category
Region of origin

China
Synonyms
  • Morus multicaulis Perr.
  • Morus alba multicaulis (Perr.) Loud.
Common Name

Multi-stemmed white mulberry, Perrotet mulberry
Name in the Camden Park Record

Morus multicaulis 
Confidence level high