Black mulberry (Morus nigra)

Marker 13The black mulberry, which is more resistant to late frosts and better suited to altitudes above 500m than the white mulberry, was introduced into southern France in the 5th century. As of the 13th century, it was used for silkworm breeding. If there was a spring frost, farmers could use its leaves to feed the worms temporarily, while waiting for the white mulberry to produce its leaves. The white mulberry replaced the black mulberry in the 15th century, and the latter has almost disappeared from the landscape. Its fruit are succulent, but beware of permanent stains!