Overview of the family Moraceae, or the Mulberry family.

1. Diversity of the Mulberry Family (Moraceae)
Overview Morphology
and
Anatomy
Taxonomy Species Importance
and
Conservation

2. Artocarpus odoratissimus
A. odoratissimus (Marang) is one
of the mostelicious tropical fruit
and beautiful exotic tree with
large lobed leaves. The fruit is as
big as 10-12", soft flavored, can
be appreciated from the first
bite and considered superior in
flavor to both Jackfruit or
Chempedak. Being a cold
sensitive plant, Marang can be
grown in container inside a
greenhouse, where it will enjoy
high humidity. The seedlings
grow rapidly, first fruit can be
expected within 3-4 years.

3. Economic Importance

4. Used as food
 The Common Fig is widely grown for its
edible fruit throughout its natural range in
the Mediterranean region, Iran, Pakistan
and northern India, and also in other
areas of the world with a similar climate
 Figs are one of the highest plant sources
of calcium and fiber.

5. Construction
 The wood of the
species Maclura
pomifera is orange in
color, and very strong.
This wood was used by
Native Americans to
manufacture bows,
and by early pioneers
to make long-lasting
fence posts and
wagon wheels.

6. Medicinal Uses
 The fruit and leaves Morus nigra are sold in
various forms as nutritional supplements.
The mature plant contains significant
amounts of resveratrol.
 It was much used in folk medicine,
especially in the treatment of ringworm.

7.  They are also high in fiber; their tiny seeds
stimulate peristaltic movements of the
intestines and their emollient quality
softens and soothes any inflammation of
the skin lining the intestines.

8.  Anthocyanins present in the mulberry fruit
is utilized and used as a fabric tanning
agent or food colorant of high color value

9. Silk Production
 Mulberry trees were used for silk
production, which was a major source of
wealth for the region.

10. Ecological Importance

12.  Because of its large and deep shade the
banyan (Ficus benghalensis) , is extremely
useful for travellers of the old sort - on foot,
bicycles or oxcarts, or horse riders - travelling
for hours or days and animals that need
shelter
 The figs are eaten by birds and mammals. Fig
seeds are dispersed by birds such as the
Indian Mynas and studies have shown that
seeds that pass through the digestive system
of the bird are more likely to germinate as well
as sprout earlier.

13.  Mulberry leaves, particularly those of the
white mulberry, are ecologically
important as the sole food source of the
silkworm (Bombyx mori), named after the
mulberry genus (Morus), the
pupa/cocoon of which is used to make
silk.

14. Conservation

15.  Cryopreservation- Reliable cryo
techniques using desiccation and slow
freezing of winter-dormant buds
 Seed bank preservation

16.  By using a highly efficient in vitro plant
propagation system to maintain,
conserve, mass propagate, and distribute
elite varieties of this important tree
species.

17. References
 http://www.indi-journal.info/archives/1865
 http://data.gbif.org/
 http://www.iucnredlist.org/
 http://zipcodezoo.com/Key/Plantae/Moraceae_Fa
mily.asp
 http://science.jrank.org/pages/4493/Mulberry-Family-
Moraceae-Ecology-distribution-economic-value.html
 http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/content/full/91/5/767/F2
 http://hua.huh.harvard.edu/china/mss/volume05/M
oraceae.pdf
 http://www.cieer.org/bot461/pdf/MORACEAE.pdf