Home » Plants » Broussonetia papyrifera

Paper Mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L'Hér. ex Vent.)

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Summary
Range
Description
Habitat
Uses
Relatives
Links
Photos

Photo © Cheng-Tao Lin, CC BY 4.0.

↑Summary

A fast-growing tree native to Asia, this species has been introduced to North America where it grows primarily as a weedy tree in urban areas. It was historically introduced throughout southeast Asia and Oceania by the Austronesian people, but many of these populations went extinct when the tree stopped being used.

↑Range - Expand

Legend	Color
Introduced
Introduced or Not Present

This tentative map is based on our own research. It may have limited data on Canada and/or Mexico, and there is some subjectivity in our assignment of plants as introduced vs. expanded. Read more in this blog post.

↑Description & Identification

Irregularly lobed leaves, reminiscent of the Morus genus.

Unusual for plants, can exhibit both alternate and opposite leaf arrangement, sometimes on the same plant.

↑Habitat

Prefers sunny, exposed sites. Tolerates a wide range of climate conditions and soil types, including heat, humidity, drought, and poor soils. Also tolerates pollution and urban conditions.

In North America, predominately found in urban areas, along roads and railroads, forest gaps and edges, and open woodlands on disturbed or degraded sites.

↑Uses

Historically, this plant was used primarily to produce barkcloth.

Later, it became important in pulp for paper production.

The fruits are edible and sweet, but bruises easily and has relatively little flesh. Its flavor is more appealing than its texture.

Although called a "Mulberry", and in the same family with true mulberries (Morus sp.), this species may be more closely related to other plants of this family, such as the Osage-Orange (Maclura pomifera).