Moraceae

Moraceae Temporal range: Cretaceous – Recent, 80–0 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Panama rubber tree (Castilla elastica)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Embryophytes
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Spermatophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Rosales
Family:	Moraceae Gaudich. (1835) nom. cons.[1][2]
Genera[2]
48; see text

Moraceae is a family of flowering plants comprising about 48 genera and over 1100 species,^[2][3] and is commonly known as the mulberry or fig family. Most are widespread in tropical and subtropical regions, less so in temperate climates; however, their distribution is cosmopolitan overall. The only common characteristics within the family are the presence of latex-producing glands in the leaves and stems, and milky sap in the soft tissues; but generally useful field characters include two carpels sometimes with one reduced, compound inconspicuous flowers, and compound fruits.^[4] The family includes well-known plants such as the common fig, breadfruit, jackfruit and mulberry.^{[citation needed]} The 'flowers' of Moraceae are often pseudanthia (reduced inflorescences).^{[citation needed]}

The family varies from colossal trees like the Indian Banyan (Ficus benghalensis) which can cover 2 ha (4.9 acres) of ground, to Dorstenia barnimiana which is a small stemless, bulbous succulent 2–5 cm in diameter that produces a single peltate leaf on a 4–15 cm petiole. These two species have an approximately one billionfold difference in mass.^[5][6]

The individual flowers are often small, with single whorled or absent perianth. Most flowers have either petals or sepals, but not both, known as monochlamydeae, and have pistils and stamens in different flowers, known as diclinous. Except for Brosimum gaudichaudii and Castilla elastica, the perianth in all species of the Moraceae contain sepals. If the flower has an inflexed stamen, then pollen is released and distributed by wind dispersal; however, if the stamen is straight, then insect pollination is most likely to occur. Insect pollination occurs in Antiaropsis, Artocarpus, Castilla, Dorstenia, Ficus, and Mesogyne.^[7]

The leaves are much like the flowers when analyzing diversity. Usually the leaves are alternate (spiral or distichous), but rarely they can be opposite. The leaves can be singly attached to the stem or alternating, they may be lobed or unlobed, and can be evergreen or deciduous depending on the species in question.^{[citation needed]} The red mulberry can host numerous leaf types on the same tree. Leaves can be both lobed and unlobed and appear very different, but coexist on the same plant.^[8]

Plant species in the Moraceae are best known for their fruits. Overall, most species produced a fleshy fruit containing seeds. Examples include the breadfruit from Artocarpus altilis, the mulberry from Morus rubra, the fig from Ficus carica, and the jackfruit from Artocarpus heterophyllus.^[9][10]

Formerly included within the now defunct order Urticales, recent molecular studies have resulted in the family's placement within the Rosales in a clade called the urticalean rosids that also includes Ulmaceae, Celtidaceae, Cannabaceae, and Urticaceae. Cecropia, which has variously been placed in the Moraceae, Urticaceae, or their own family, Cecropiaceae, is now included in the Urticaceae.^[11]

Dioecy (having individuals with separate sexes) appears to be the primitive state in Moraceae.^[9] Monoecy has evolved independently at least four times within the family.

Modern molecular phylogenetics suggest these relationships:^{[11][9][10][12]}

Moraceae comprises 48 genera^[2] in seven tribes.^[13]

Other genera accepted by Plants of the World Online as of April 2024^[update]:

In addition to the living species, a number of fossil genera have been ascribed to the family:^[14]

While the fossil record of Moraceae goes back to the late Cretaceous, molecular clock estimates suggest that the family had begun to diversify by the mid-Cretaceous, with some major clades emerging during the Tertiary period.^[12]

Moraceae can be found throughout the world with a cosmopolitan distribution. The majority of species originate in the Old World tropics, particularly in Asia and the Pacific islands.^[15]

• Barkcloth

• Moraceae in L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards). The families of flowering plants.