Morus, a genus of flowering plants in the family Moraceae, comprises 10â16 species of deciduous trees commonly known as mulberries growing wild and under cultivation in many temperate world regions.
The closely related genus Broussonetia is also commonly known as mulberry, notably the Paper Mulberry, Broussonetia papyrifera. Mulberries are swift-growing when young, but soon become slow-growing and rarely exceed 10â15 m (33â49 ft) tall. The leaves are alternately arranged, simple, often lobed, more often lobed on juvenile shoots than on mature trees, and serrated on the margin.
The mulberry fruit is a multiple fruit, 2â3 cm (0.79â1.18 in) long. Immature fruits are white, green, or pale yellow. In most species, the fruits turn pink and then red while ripening, then dark purple or black, and have a sweet flavor when fully ripe. The fruits of the white-fruited cultivar are white when ripe; the fruit in this cultivar is also sweet but has a very mild flavor compared with the darker variety.
Mulberry leaf is considered as a nice herb in the ancient China for anti-inflammation, anti-aging and maintaining health. Mulberry extract is rich in amino acids, vitamin C and antioxidants. Among this components, the most valuable are rutoside and DNJ (1-Deoxynojimycin),The latest chinese research has shown mulberry leaf p.e rutoside and DNJ are effective in regulating blood fat, balancing blood pressure, reducing blood glucose, and boosting metabolism. So they are widely used as raw materials for curing diabetes.
