Broussonetia papyrifera
| Paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific name | Broussonetia papyrifera [1] |
| Genus | Broussonetia [1] |
| Family | Moraceae [1] |
| Order | Rosales [1] |
| Synonym | Morus papyrifera [2] |
| Habit | Deciduous shrub or tree |
| Native range | India through East Asia [1] |
| Fruit | Orange-red spherical or pear-shaped aggregates [1][2] |
| Pollination | Dioecious; wind-pollinated [1][2] |
| Propagation | Seed, cuttings, or root suckers [3] |
Broussonetia papyrifera, commonly called paper mulberry, is a fast-growing deciduous shrub or tree in the mulberry family. Its native range extends from India through East Asia, where it occurs in mixed woodland, forest margins, and secondary vegetation. [1] Morus papyrifera is a documented previous name. [2]
Description[edit | edit source]
Paper mulberry develops a broad, spreading crown and can produce vigorous root sprouts. Separate male and female plants bear their flowers in spring; female plants can produce orange-red fruit in late summer when pollinated. [2] The root-suckering habit can create dense thickets, so plant it where spreading can be monitored and remove unwanted shoots while they are small. [2][3]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
Use a well-drained root zone and avoid planting where water remains stagnant. The species occurs in woodland edges and secondary vegetation, and the most vigorous growth is associated with fertile, well-drained soil; established plants are described as drought-tolerant by North Carolina Extension, while the University of Arkansas account also records growth on a poor, dry site. [1][2][3] These dry-site observations do not make prolonged drought a substitute for establishment watering. Root suckers should be cut or removed promptly where a thicket is not wanted. [2][3]
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
A sheltered full-sun position is the clearest cultivation starting point, although North Carolina Extension notes that the species tolerates some shade and poor soil. [1][3] Give the crown room to spread and keep the planting away from structures or beds where root sprouts would be difficult to control. The native woodland-edge habit supports protection from drying exposure rather than a requirement for deep shade. [1]
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
The tree is deciduous. Flowers occur in spring and female plants may carry orange-red fruit in late summer. [2][3] Maintain moisture while new plants establish, then adjust irrigation to local rainfall and root-zone drying rather than a fixed calendar. Dormant-season pruning is the practical time identified for controlling unwanted growth. [3] Kew's cultivation profile lists tolerance to at least −5 °C; treat that value as a qualified account-specific indication, not a guaranteed hardiness limit for every provenance or site. [1]
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Propagation is documented by seed, cuttings, and root suckers. [1][3] Kew characterizes the seeds as recalcitrant, so prolonged dry storage is unsuitable; sow fresh seed when possible or use a documented vegetative method. [1] Root suckers can establish new plants readily, but they should be removed rather than transplanted when the goal is to prevent spread. [2][3]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
Paper mulberry is dioecious and wind-pollinated: male and female flowers occur on different plants, and fruiting requires a female plant with access to pollen. [1][2] The University of Arkansas account notes that many plants in southern plantings are clonally propagated males and that fruit had not been seen on the author's local plants, so a leafy planting should not be assumed to be capable of bearing. [2]
Female flowers develop into orange-red spherical or pear-shaped fruit aggregates, generally in late summer. [1][2] Harvest timing should follow color and softness under local conditions; the packet does not establish a species-wide harvest calendar.
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The fruit is described as edible and orange-red at maturity. [1] In a single-tree observation from Chiang Mai, Eric Danell described orange fruit balls made of cylindrical fruits with dark red seeds; he found that tree's fruit sweet but without aroma, with crunchy small seeds and a lingering unpleasant aftertaste. [4] That observation is useful for showing possible fruit-quality variation, but it does not establish a universal flavor profile or food-safety conclusion.
Pollen can be an allergy concern, and the species' vigorous suckering or seed set has produced weedy or invasive behavior in some regions. [1][3] Check local requirements before planting and keep both fruiting spread and root-sucker spread within the space that can be managed.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ [2] University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension: Broussonetia papyrifera, Paper Mulberry.
Image credits[edit | edit source]
- Broussonetia papyrifera (paper mulberry), by David Eickhoff, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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