Trees, shrubs and climbers, lactiferous. Leaves usually alternate. Inflorescence axillary, variable, monoecious or dioecious; flowers small, unisexual. Perianth usually 4-lobed. Male flower with 2 or 4 stamens, rudimentary ovary sometimes present. Female flower with ovary superior or inferior, usually 1-locular; styles usually 2, filiform. Fruit usually drupaceous; seeds with or without endosperm.

Contains 53 genera with about 1400 species in mainly tropical and temperate regions, much cultivated.

Morus L.

Deciduous, monoecious or dioecious trees. Buds with 3–6 scales. Leaves dentate or lobed; stipules caducous. Inflorescence an axillary spike; flowers unisexual. Male flowers with 4-lobed perianth and 4 stamens, sometimes with a rudimentary ovary. Female flowers with a 4-lobed perianth and a style with 2 branches. Ovary 1- or 2-locular, superior. Fruit of numerous drupelets crowded into a syncarp.

Contains about 12 species in temperate and subtropical regions of the northern hemisphere.