Family: Moraceae

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability and range
  
• Range extends into subtropical regions
  
• Possibly naturalizing outside native range
  
• Described as a weedy, self-seeder
  
• Other Morus species are invasive
  
• Potentially allelopathic
  
• Pollen from male trees reported to be a severe allergen
  
• Shade tolerant (although dense shade may inhibit spread)
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• May form dense thickets (reported from native range)
  
• Reproduces by seeds and root suckers
  
• Hybridizes with Morus alba
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds and intentionally by people
  
• Tolerates and resprouts after heavy pruning, but reportedly killed by fires

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Palatable to browsing animals
  
• Dioecious trees not self-compatible, but some trees reported to be monoecious
  
• Minimum seed-bearing age is usually about 10 years
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control if needed