Skip to main content
Close

Mulberry or Shahtoot

Morus sp.

Photo by SukanyaDatta
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

28.6573, 77.2273

Field Notes

Description:

Tall tree which easily reaches the height of a three-storey building. The fruits are like tiny sweet juice-filled blisters arranged around a thin green thread...to those unaccustomed or from far may appear like caterpillars. You just pop it into your mouth and pull the thread-like central stalk out. Fruits are pale green when unripe and become plump, juicy and a rich dark purple when ripe.

Habitat:

I saw this tree almost everywhere in Delhi. It grew without being cared for and everyone who spotted one ate the fruits. This particular tree was one of the few in a government residential area.

Notes:

Some trees have thin pale-green fruits even when ripe. Birds love this fruit. I have never seen caterpillars or butterflies on these, though. It is believed to be a "cooling"fruit in India's scorching summer.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (0)

Be the first to comment

Sign in to comment

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon