Contorted Mulberry is typically grown for its twisted corkscrew branches ('Unyro' is Japanese for twisted). It is a vigorous plant in areas with hot summers, reaching a mature height of 32 feet, with a spectacular form. However, it can be pruned to a smaller tree or shrub. 'Unyro' is perhaps among the most popular contorted cultivars of woody plants. In addition to its twisted form, 'Unryo' features large, unlobed leaves and is a female clone although fruit set is rare. Contorted Mulberry does well in loamy, well-drained soils, in full sun or partial shade. It will tolerate a variety of soils including clay. Mulberry roots are brittle and care should be taken with planting them. Prune if needed in winter when the plant is fully dormant to prevent running sap. Prune only badly placed branches and dead wood. 'Unyro' is sometimes sold under different names and there is some controversy whether Contorted Mulberry belongs to M. alba or M. indica. Most tradespeople lean toward M. indica . To confuse things even more, the cultivar is sold in North America as 'Unyro', but sold as 'Spirata' in Europe. Some recommend siting the plant by itself to highlight the twisted form and the branches and stems can be used in flower arrangements, floral displays and decoration. After leaf drop in fall, the contorted stems add excellent winter interest to the landscape. Diseases, Insect Pests, Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect pests.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Glossy light green leaves (to 7 inches long) produce often-attractive yellow fall color. Leaves lanceolate to broadly ovate, simple to deeply palmately lobed (lobing most prominent and variable on young shoots), upper surface scabrous with a dense covering of short hairs; lower surface with a sparse covering of thick hairs; base cuneate to cordate; margin serrate or entire.
Fall color
Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Green
Flower form
Catkin; Insignificant
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Male inflorescences 1 per node, 1.5 inches; female flowers with dark green, less than 1 inch. Flowering early spring.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Pink; Purple/Lavender
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
< 1 inch long
Fruit detail
Small edible sweet purple fruits in late summer. Fruiting is sparse.
Bark color
Light Brown; Light Gray
Bark detail
Greyish brown bark.
Stem color
Brown/Copper
Stem detail
Unusual twisted branches adds winter interest. Branchlets glabrous, or pubescent initially; lenticels rounded to eliptic. Winter buds conic to ovoid, large. Stipules linear-lanceolate.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
India, southeast Asia, southern China, Korea and Japan
Distribution
Spain, Central Africa.
Wildlife value
Birds love the berries
Attracts
Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit
Harvest time
Summer
Edibility
Fruit is sweet and juicy, but taste is bland.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Pond
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Water Garden
Design feature
Accent; Flowering Tree; Specimen
Garden tags
#deciduous #winter interest #drought tolerant #edible fruits #bird friendly #non-toxic for cats #non-toxic for horses #non-toxic for dogs #flowering tree #HS304