Morinda citrifolia
Family: Moraceae
Common name: White mulberry
Mulberry is a sweet edible fruit that is cultivated both for its fruit and as an ornamental plant. Mulberries are deciduous and have toothed, sometimes lobed leaves that are alternately arranged along the stems. The plants can be either monoecious (with both male and female flowers on the same plant) or dioecious (with male and female flowers on separate plants). The tiny flowers are borne in tight catkin clusters, and each fruit develops from an entire flower cluster, making it a multiple fruit.
In addition to being a source of fruit, mulberry plants are also significant in the sericulture industry, as their leaves are the primary food for silkworms.
Mulberries are a versatile plant with many uses, including as food, medicine, and for other industrial purposes. The leaves, in particular, contain several bioactive compounds, such as 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), which may help combat diabetes by inhibiting the absorption of carbohydrates in the gut. Additionally, mulberry fruits and leaves have various medicinal properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and are used in traditional remedies for improving overall health and managing blood sugar levels.