Wild-Mulberry

Afrikaans name: Wildemoerbei

Wild-Mulberry

Photo © Steven Herbert

Trimeria grandifolia

The Wild Mulberry is not related to the more well-known Mulberry Tree which is an invasive species in South Africa. This tree does not produce the tasty fruit of the normal Mulberry and you can't use its leaves to feed your pet silkworms!

It is found at higher altitudes in a band that runs from the Western Cape through to Limpopo province. It grows to a maximum height of 10 metres and is normally found in forests or well-wooded areas.

The flowers are small and greenish-white in colour and appear in narrow spikes. The fruit is a woody capsule that contains 1 or 2 seeds.

Leaves of the Wild Mulberry

Photo © Steven Herbert

References and further reading

Whats that Tree? - Author: Eugene Moll - Published: 2011 - Page: 101

The Flora of the Natal Drakensberg - Author: Donald Killick - Published: 1990 - Page: 70

Trees of Southern Africa - 3rd edition - Author: Keith Coates Palgrave - Published: 2002 - Page: 758

The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei - Author: Elsa Pooley - Published: 1994 - Page: 334

Sappi Tree Spotting: KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape - 2nd edition - Author: Val Thomas and Rina Grant - Published: 2004 - Page: 280

Everyones Guide to Trees of South Africa - Author: Keith, Paul and Meg Coates Palgrave - Published: 1989 - Page: 75

A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1977 - Page: 227

A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - Revised - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1983 - Page: 248

For more info: SANBI

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