Mulberry Family (Moraceae) - Flowers, Fruits And Leaves, Ecology, Distribution And Economic Value
includes tropical species
The mulberry family occurs primarily in tropical and semi-tropical regions, and includes a wide variety of herbs, shrubs, and trees, characterized by a milky sap and reduced, unisexual flowers. This family includes 40 genera and 1,000 species, of which 500 species are members of the fig genus, Ficus. The Moraceae is a member of the order Urticales, class Magnoliopsida (the dicotyledons), division Magnoliophyta (flowering plants).
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Species of the mulberry family may be either monoecious or dioecious, depending on whether male and female flowers occur on the same plant (monoecious) or on separate plants (dioecious). Flowers of the Moraceae are in tightly packed groups, known as heads, spikes, catkins, or umbels. Fig flowers are produced inside a synconium, a hollow fleshy structure. The small flowers lack petals. Male flowers…
The family Moraceae was named after the mulberry, Modus. The red mulberry, Modus rubra, is native to North America, where it occurs in moist woodlands. It produces a tasty, juicy fruit which is favored by birds, and although it is also good for people to eat, it is not economically important. The white mulberry, Modus alba, is native to Asia. In China, leaves of the white mulberry are fed to culti…
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