Paper Mulberry

Paper Mulberry
Paper Mulberry
Paper Mulberry fruit, immature and mature
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Moraceae
Tribe: Moreae
Genus: Broussonetia
Species: B. papyrifera
Binomial name
Broussonetia papyrifera
(L.) Vent.

The Paper Mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera, syn. Morus papyrifera L.) is a tree in the family Moraceae, native to eastern Asia. Other names include Dak, Halibun, Kalivon, Kozo, and Tapacloth tree.

It is a deciduous tree growing to 15 metres (49 ft) tall. The leaves are variable in shape (even on the same branch), unlobed ovate cordate to deeply lobed, with lobed leaves more frequent on fast-growing young plants; they are 7–20 centimetres (2.8–7.9 in) long, with a rough surface above, fuzzy-downy below and a finely serrated margin. The male (staminate) flowers are produced in an oblong inflorescence, and the female (pistillate) flowers in a globular inflorescence. In summer, the pistillate flower matures into a red to orange, sweet, juicy fruit 3–4 centimetres (1.2–1.6 in) diameter, which is an important food for wild animals. The fruit is edible and very sweet, but too fragile to be commercialised.

Branch showing the leaves
Lobed leaves

During the months of February until April proximity to this tree can contribute to severe pollen allergy. In Islamabad, Pakistan the pollen count goes as high as 40000 per m³ causing severe problems for residents.

Contents

Uses

The bark is composed of very strong fibres, and can be used for making high-quality paper. (See: Japanese tissue, Japanese paper and Hanji.) The tender leaves and twigs can be used to feed deer, and the tree is sometimes nicknamed the "Deer's Tree".

The paper mulberry tree was brought to the Pacific during the Polynesian migrations, and its bark is widely used to make tapa cloth.

Closeup of a leaf
bark

Cultural reference

Represents the territory tree of the Islamabad Capital Territory (unofficial).

Invasive species

The fast growing Paper Mulberry when introduced to non-native areas can quickly disrupt the native habitat, becoming a highly invasive species and upsetting the natural ecosystem. This has proven true in many places, including parts of Latin America, the United States, and South Asia, and is particularly conspicuous in the vicinity of the city of Islamabad, where Paper Mulberry was introduced for its scenic value but is now replacing the native flora at an alarming rate. The pollen from this tree is the number-one cause of allergy problems in Islamabad.[citation needed]

Paper Mulberry chokes out native flora because of its very high consumption of water, which leaves less water to sustain the native flora. Because its root system, while extensive, is shallow, it is also prone to being blown down by high winds. When cut, the trees release a latex-heavy sap which is extremely sticky and can ruin clothing. After cutting, the tree needs to be killed by applying herbicide to the stump, or the root system will send out multiple coppices which grow quickly from the existing root system. The roots of the tree are aggressive enough to break cinder blocks and cause problems to drainage pipes. The timber is relatively useless, and the strong fibers which make the pulp valuable simply dull saw blades in residential removal.[citation needed]

External links


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Paper mulberry — Paper Pa per (p[=a] p[ e]r), n. [F. papier, fr. L. papyrus papyrus, from which the Egyptians made a kind of paper, Gr. pa pyros. Cf. {Papyrus}.] 1. A substance in the form of thin sheets or leaves intended to be written or printed on, or to be… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Paper mulberry — Mulberry Mul ber*ry, n.; pl. {Mulberries}. [OE. moolbery, murberie, AS. murberie, where the first part is fr. L. morum mulberry; cf. Gr. ?, ?. Cf. {Murrey}, {Sycamore}.] 1. (Bot.) The berry or fruit of any tree of the genus {Morus}; also, the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • paper mulberry — n. an Asiatic tree (Broussonetia papyrifera) with deeply lobed leaves and red, fleshy, compound fruits: the bark is used to make paper and tapa …   English World dictionary

  • paper mulberry — tikrasis popiermedis statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Šilkmedinių šeimos dekoratyvinis, pluoštinis, vaistinis augalas (Broussonetia papyrifera), paplitęs rytų ir pietų Azijoje. atitikmenys: lot. Broussonetia papyrifera angl. paper mulberry;… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • paper-mulberry — tikrasis popiermedis statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Šilkmedinių šeimos dekoratyvinis, pluoštinis, vaistinis augalas (Broussonetia papyrifera), paplitęs rytų ir pietų Azijoje. atitikmenys: lot. Broussonetia papyrifera angl. paper mulberry;… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • paper mulberry — Broussonetia Broussonetia n. a genus of shade trees including the {paper mulberry} ({Broussonetia papyrifera}) of East Asia. Syn: genus {Broussonetia}. [WordNet 1.5 +PJC] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • paper mulberry — popiermedis statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Šilkmedinių (Moraceae) šeimos augalų gentis (Broussonetia). atitikmenys: lot. Broussonetia angl. paper mulberry vok. Papiermaulbeerbaum rus. бруcсонетия; бумажное дерево lenk. morwa …   Dekoratyvinių augalų vardynas

  • paper mulberry — a mulberry tree, Broussonetia papyrifera, of eastern Asia, having alternate leaves that vary in size, round catkins, and orange red fruit, grown widely as a shade tree. [1770 80; so called because its bark is used to make paper] * * * …   Universalium

  • paper mulberry — noun a mulberry tree whose inner bark is used for making paper and tapa cloth. [Broussonetia papyrifera.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • paper mulberry — pa′per mul′berry n. pln a mulberry tree, Broussonetia papyrifera, of E Asia, having alternate leaves that vary in size, and orange red fruit • Etymology: 1770–80; so called because its bark is used to make paper …   From formal English to slang

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