Page 24 - Растения Сахалинской области в легендах и мифах

Korean mulberry

(Morus bombycis Koidz.)

Low dioecious deciduous tree or shrub, 3–7 m tall, with light brown bark.
Leaf blades from whole to asymmetrically notched-lobed, large unevenly serrate
along the edge, broadly ovate. Flowers are unisexual, in numerous earring
inflorescences. Small fruits, drupes, collected in seedlings up to 3 cm long, from
pinkish to reddish-black, pleasant to the taste.
The species is located on the northeastern border of the range. In Russia, it is
found only in the Sakhalin region: the islands of Moneron, Kunashir, Shikotan.
Outside of the Russian Federation it grows in China, on the Korean Peninsula,
in Japan (Hokkaido and Honshu Islands).

Priam and Theisba lived in ancient Babylon. They were lovers.
One day, Thisba came on a date a little earlier, standing under a

tall mulberry with white berries. Suddenly she heard the roar of a
lion and ran away, dropping her muslin. Priam found a muslin torn
apart by a lion under the mulberry and struck himself in the chest
with a sword in despair. Immediately, the white mulberries turned
bright red. When Theisba returned and saw the dead Priam, she
killed herself with the same sword. And the berries turned black.

22