A rare mulberry variety is growing successfully in Pshdar, where a local farmer says the tree appears well suited to the Kurdistan Region’s climate and soil.
Khalid, a farmer from Mre village in Pshdar, brought a sapling from Iran in 2016. The variety is locally known as “Kalaki mulberry.” When fully mature, each fruit can grow to roughly the size of an apple.
The fruit takes longer than ordinary mulberries to ripen. When picked, it releases a milky sap similar to that of figs. The fruit is also sticky and has a slightly bitter taste.
Khalid said one of his trees produced around 20 fruits this year. He has mostly kept them for their unusual appearance rather than eating them.
He said he has not yet tasted the fruit himself, although a friend described it as bitter and not especially pleasant. The fruit is currently green, but turns yellowish when fully ripe.
Wria Omar, a horticulture lecturer at the University of Raparin, said the variety is common in Iran, especially around Tabriz. He added that it had rarely been seen in the Kurdistan Region before.
According to Omar, the fruit is sometimes called American, Canadian or Russian mulberry in different areas. It prefers colder weather and can adapt well to Kurdistan’s soil and water conditions.
However, he said the variety is not especially suitable for fresh consumption because of its bitterness and sticky texture.
In Iran, people sometimes use it to make jam. It also has industrial and decorative uses, including in adhesive production.
Khalid now plans to increase the number of trees. He believes the variety could grow successfully in other colder parts of the Kurdistan Region if farmers become more familiar with it.
Its successful growth may also encourage local farmers to experiment with other uncommon fruit varieties.
