Trees of Texas Field Guide (Tree Identification Guides) - Tapa blanda

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Naturalist, wildlife photographer and writer Stan Tekiela is the author of more than 175 field guides, nature books, children’s books, wildlife audio CDs, puzzles and playing cards, presenting many species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, trees, wildflowers and cacti in the United States. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural History from the University of Minnesota and as an active professional naturalist for more than 25 years, Stan studies and photographs wildlife throughout the United States and Canada. He has received various national and regional awards for his books and photographs. Also a well-known columnist and radio personality, his syndicated column appears in more than 25 newspapers and his wildlife programs are broadcast on a number of Midwest radio stations.

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Texas Mulberry
Morus microphylla

Family: Mulberry (Moraceae)

Height: 10-20' (3-6.1 m)

Tree: small tree to large shrub with a single trunk, often dividing low, open round crown

Leaf: lobed, multi-lobed to oval, 1/2-2" (1-5 cm) long, alternately attached, pointed tip and coarse teeth, exudes milky sap when torn, dull green and rough above, paler and smooth below, somewhat hairy

Bark: light gray to reddish brown and smooth, becoming furrowed with age

Flower: many tiny green flowers, each 1/4" (.6 cm) wide, in clusters, 1" (2.5 cm) long

Fruit: red berry (aggregate fruit), turning black, looking raspberry-like, made of many tiny 1-seeded fruit, sweet to sour and edible, 1/2" (1 cm) wide

Fall Color: yellow

Origin/Age: native; 50-75 years

Habitat: gravelly soils at 2,200-6,500' (670-1,980 m), along streams in protected canyons, grasslands, sun

Range: scattered in the western half of Texas

Stan’s Notes: One of two native mulberries in Texas. Different from Red Mulberry (p. 211) by its overall size. Range extends from Texas to Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona. Also known as Western Mulberry, Mexican Mulberry, Small-leaved Mulberry and Mountain Mulberry. Blooms in early spring (April). Male flowers on one tree, female flowers on another (dioecious). Only female flowers produce fruit, which matures during late summer. Animals and birds eat the berries, coming from miles around to feed. Wood is hard and heavy. Leaf shape varies somewhat from tree to tree.