Morus cathayana Hemsl.

Modern name

A tree 10 to 25 ft high, young shoots downy at first, becoming smoother and greyish. Leaves heart-shaped, 3 to 6 in. long on adult plants, three-fourths as wide (considerably larger on young vigorous plants), terminated at the apex by an abrupt slender point, margins roundish-toothed (often three-lobed in young trees); rough with short hairs above, softly downy beneath, primary veins in five or six pairs; stalk about 1 in. long, hairy. Male spikes 3⁄4 in. long, borne on a slender stalk about the same length; female spikes of similar size, but with the flowers more closely packed. Fruits about 1 in. long, white, black, or red.

Native of Central China; first discovered about 1888, by Henry, in Hupeh; introduced twenty years later by Wilson. Young trees have hitherto grown freely, and promise to be quite hardy.

From the Supplement (Vol. V)

The specimens at Kew, pl. 1907, measure 44 × 31⁄2 ft and 40 × 31⁄2 ft (1981).

Genus

Morus

Other species in the genus

Modern name

Some names used by Bean have now been superseded and are no longer familiar. To ensure that all plants can be easily found, under any name, we have cross-referenced to The Plant List, a collaboration between RBG Kew, Missouri Botanical Gardens and other organisations, which aims to provide a currently accepted name for any plant. Not all taxonomists will agree with all Plant List nomenclature, but it provides a baseline to compare names. For each species above, clicking on the Modern Name will link to the entry for that name on The Plant List website.