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

Paper Mulberry

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Paper Mulberry is an introduced deciduous shrub or small tree in the Mulberry family (Moraceae). It is native to Asia. It can be found throughout Alabama. Paper Mulberry occurs on vacant lots, in urban forests, on roadsides, and around old home sites. It is a colonial shrub or small tree, growing up to 45 feet in height. The young branches are green or brown in color and densely pubescent. The bark on the trunk and older branches is smooth or slightly furrowed and tan-brown in color. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, ovate in outline, with serrate margins. The leaves are often 3-5 lobed on fast growing shoots. They are densely pubescent on the lower surface and scabrous on the upper surface. Paper Mulberry is dioecious with male and female flowers on separate plants. Male flowers are produced in drooping catkins in the early spring. The flowers are produced from leaf axils on wood of the previous season’s growth. Female flowers are produced in head-like inflorescences. The fruit is densely aggregated into a globose, orange syncarp. Most populations in Alabama consist of male plants only. The tough but flexible bark has been used to produce paper and cloth in Asia. This species was once widely planted as a shade tree. It grows fast and can thrive in dry, nutrient poor soils. It aggressively spreads from root sprouts and the female fruit are messy, so it is not often planted now.—A. Diamond.

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Not Native

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