Diversity of the Mulberry family (Moraceae)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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