Karuppu musukette (Morus nigra)

Black mulberry is a slow-growing, long-lived fruit tree from south-western Asia with large, dark, intensely flavoured berries. In India it is grown in small numbers in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, while the shahtoot of most Indian streets is white mulberry, Morus alba. Silkworms are fed on white mulberry leaves, not black. The juice stains hands and clothes deep purple.

Botanical name: Morus nigra L.
Family: Moraceae
Tamil: Karuppu musukette
Hindi: Shahtoot
Parts used: Ripe fruit
Habit: Black mulberry; Hindi shahtoot also names white mulberry
Last updated: 2026-10-27

How to recognise Karuppu musukette

It is a small, spreading deciduous tree with a short trunk and dense crown.

The leaves are heart-shaped, thick and rough above, softly hairy beneath, and usually unlobed.

Male and female flowers form small catkins.

The fruit is a dark purple-black, juicy berry two to three centimetres long, on a very short stalk.

White mulberry has smooth, glossy, often lobed leaves and longer-stalked white, pink or purple fruit.

Traditional use of Karuppu musukette

Kitchen

In Iran and Turkey black mulberries are pressed into juice and cooked into syrups and jams.

West Asian food practice

Kitchen

In Kashmir and Himachal the berries are eaten fresh in early summer and made into sherbet.

North Indian hill food practice

Modern notes on Karuppu musukette

The fruit is rich in anthocyanins and supplies vitamin C and iron.

Unripe fruit and the milky sap can cause stomach upset.

Trees can live for hundreds of years; some in Europe date from the 1600s.

Karuppu musukette safety

Eat only fully ripe berries and wash them well, since they are soft and hard to clean. The juice stains skin and fabric.

Ecology and sourcing

It originated in south-western Asia, probably Iran.

Birds eat the ripe fruit and spread the seeds.

It is wind-pollinated.

Related plants

Also in Moraceae

Questions about Karuppu musukette

Is black mulberry the same as shahtoot?

Shahtoot in India is usually white mulberry.

Do silkworms eat black mulberry?

Mostly white mulberry.

How do I remove the stain?

Lemon juice or unripe berries rubbed on hands help.

When is Karuppu musukette in season?

Early summer.

How do I tell black from white mulberry?

Black mulberry has rough, hairy, unlobed leaves.

Sources

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.