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