THE MULLBERRY TREE:
is a symbol of wisdom, and associated with the goddesses Minerva / Athena. The mulberry puts out no growth whatsoever until all danger of frosts are past, then it works so swiftly that all the buds may appear almost overnight - according to Pliny: thus, the tree is both prudent and patient. When the tree buds, the frost is no longer a threat. It is also an extraordinary truth that one single tree may put out leaves of varying shapes; and the trees reach a great age if cultivated with a little care, as they can easily be rejuvenated with good pruning.

The dye made from the fruits of the mulberry was sought-after - the colour was called "murray", a contraction of the word mulberry. The leaves, of course, were also...