Three collections exist now in France. The precise location is mentionned in annexe 1
It is located in Porquerolles island, South of France. This collection covers near 1ha and each variety is represented by at least 5 trees. The plants were togethered from old local collections or from foreign places such as Sericulture station of Padoue (Italy) or Vavilov Institut of Leningrad. There are near 43 varieties from the main genus, Broussonetia, Maclura and Morus.
A recent study has been carried out by A. de RAFFELIS St SAUVEUR (1990) to have a more precise evaluation of the collection. This study approaches taxonomic aspects, as economical aspects.
It is the oldest remaining collection of mulberries, existing in France. This collection was established over than 80 years at the Station of Pathology of Invertebrates. The list of varieties is in annexe 2B. This collection is regularly maintained in good conditions but donnot the object of any study.
This collection was recently established by Dr Gérard CHAVANCY (1982). Progressively it was developed by new aquisitions from different places such as, Porquerolles, St Christol, or several botanical gardens. The objectif of this plantation was the evaluation of quality of the leaves to breed silkworms and the influence of growth conditions on leaf production. In this collection
Threecollections have been described, but when we are travelling in districts where silkworms were reared, we are surprised to see always numerous mulberry trees, either in fields or by side of the roads. It would be of interest to have programme to evaluate this natural habitat. May be in this habitat, new Mulberry genetic resources could be discovered. Such programme cannot be conducted due to the lack of financial support.
In France, Mulberry is not to day a plant of economical interest, also the means to promote exploration, characterisation and accession ofmulberries, are very restricted. In each station only 1 or 2 workers are involved in the maintenance of each orchard, without to be their major activity.
