Common Name: Paper Mulberry
Scientific Name: Broussonetia papyrifera.
Angiosperm or Gymnosperm? Angiosperm (flower producing plant)
Brief Description: The Paper Mulberry, native to Asia, has played an important role in world history for its cultivation of food, medicine, and fiber. It is invasive and can easily fill forest clearings, but is sometimes removed because of its roots' rapid growth, which often measure 30 feet across.
Ethnobotany
The inner bark of the Paper Mulberry was primarily used for making paper in China and washi in Japan around 100 to 600 AD. It is also used to make tapa cloth, bags, and bedding. The wood of the plant is used to make furniture and utensils and the roots can be used as rope. The fruit and cooked leaves are edible(Davis, Steve , and Mark Nesbitt, n.d). The bark and fruit used for medicine, locally known as jangli toot, are used as a laxative in Pakistan. In the United States, it was primarily used as a shade and ornamental tree. This tree can also tolerate disturbance and air pollution and can grow well in poor soil and many climate types.
The International Union for the Consevation of Nature lists paper mulberry as one of the six worst plant invaders in Pakistan. It has invaded several continents and over a dozen countries. Natural areas are extremely likely to be invaded by the paper mulberry. The plant spreads rapidly especially when male and female trees grow together and seeds are produced. Seed dispersal is accomplished by animals that eat the fruits. The pollen from the Paper Mulberry is also highly allergenic, which is problematic in many urban areas.
Paper mulberries negatively impact wildlife because of the dependence on native vegetation for forage, nesting, and cover. According to the "Eradication of paper mulberry" online article in the Pakistan Observer written by Zafar Sheikh, Paper Mulberry trees were considered to be the main contributor to pollen allergies. The federal capital promised to eliminate the trees in two years. The root system of the trees multiply rapidly making it difficult to successfully remove the trees. Instead of cutting the trees routinely, the need was to use pesticides to kill the trees. As this was not done, the root system continued sending out multiple coppices which grew quickly.
These trees should be controlled through cutting and herbicide applications. During the growing season, trees should be cut near ground level, followed by an immediate application of herbicide to the stump in order to destroy the root system.
The inner bark of the Paper Mulberry was primarily used for making paper in China and washi in Japan around 100 to 600 AD. It is also used to make tapa cloth, bags, and bedding. The wood of the plant is used to make furniture and utensils and the roots can be used as rope. The fruit and cooked leaves are edible(Davis, Steve , and Mark Nesbitt, n.d). The bark and fruit used for medicine, locally known as jangli toot, are used as a laxative in Pakistan. In the United States, it was primarily used as a shade and ornamental tree. This tree can also tolerate disturbance and air pollution and can grow well in poor soil and many climate types.
The International Union for the Consevation of Nature lists paper mulberry as one of the six worst plant invaders in Pakistan. It has invaded several continents and over a dozen countries. Natural areas are extremely likely to be invaded by the paper mulberry. The plant spreads rapidly especially when male and female trees grow together and seeds are produced. Seed dispersal is accomplished by animals that eat the fruits. The pollen from the Paper Mulberry is also highly allergenic, which is problematic in many urban areas.
Paper mulberries negatively impact wildlife because of the dependence on native vegetation for forage, nesting, and cover. According to the "Eradication of paper mulberry" online article in the Pakistan Observer written by Zafar Sheikh, Paper Mulberry trees were considered to be the main contributor to pollen allergies. The federal capital promised to eliminate the trees in two years. The root system of the trees multiply rapidly making it difficult to successfully remove the trees. Instead of cutting the trees routinely, the need was to use pesticides to kill the trees. As this was not done, the root system continued sending out multiple coppices which grew quickly.
These trees should be controlled through cutting and herbicide applications. During the growing season, trees should be cut near ground level, followed by an immediate application of herbicide to the stump in order to destroy the root system.
Natural Habitat
Paper Mulberry is native to Asia, specifically Taiwan and Japan. It can now be found in over a dozen countries around the world. In the United States, it grows anywhere from Pennsylvania to Florida, and to Oklahoma and Louisiana. It grows in open habitats such as forest and field edges, taking advantage of disturbed sites. Floodplain forests and river terraces are especially prone to invasion. Paper mulberry tends to grow in humid tropical, subhumid tropical and temperate climates, but can tolerate many other climate types. This tree can grow under any rainfall pattern that keeps the soil moist most of the year. It frequently grows along streams, but can survive a 3–4 month dry period.
Paper Mulberry is native to Asia, specifically Taiwan and Japan. It can now be found in over a dozen countries around the world. In the United States, it grows anywhere from Pennsylvania to Florida, and to Oklahoma and Louisiana. It grows in open habitats such as forest and field edges, taking advantage of disturbed sites. Floodplain forests and river terraces are especially prone to invasion. Paper mulberry tends to grow in humid tropical, subhumid tropical and temperate climates, but can tolerate many other climate types. This tree can grow under any rainfall pattern that keeps the soil moist most of the year. It frequently grows along streams, but can survive a 3–4 month dry period.
Leaves
Paper Mulberry leaves vary in shape and size from three to ten inches in length and alternate on stems. Smaller leaves are simpler and oval-shaped with pointed tips and sharply toothed margins while larger leaves are heart-shaped and may be lobed or unlobed. The bottom of the leaves have soft hairs, are slightly rough, and are more pale then the rest of the leaf. If leaves are damaged or removed from the stem, a milky sap seeps from the cut.
Paper Mulberry leaves vary in shape and size from three to ten inches in length and alternate on stems. Smaller leaves are simpler and oval-shaped with pointed tips and sharply toothed margins while larger leaves are heart-shaped and may be lobed or unlobed. The bottom of the leaves have soft hairs, are slightly rough, and are more pale then the rest of the leaf. If leaves are damaged or removed from the stem, a milky sap seeps from the cut.
Flowers
Male and female flowers grow on different plants, in other words the Paper Mulberry is considered dioecious. Both male and female trees form clusters of flowers called inflorescence. Male trees produce catkins, which are long clusters of fuzzy flowers and can be up to three inches long. These flowers appear in the spring. Female trees produce spherical-shaped flower clusters nearly an inch wide with greenish female flowers. When they mature in the summer, fruits are reddish purple to orange in color.
Male and female flowers grow on different plants, in other words the Paper Mulberry is considered dioecious. Both male and female trees form clusters of flowers called inflorescence. Male trees produce catkins, which are long clusters of fuzzy flowers and can be up to three inches long. These flowers appear in the spring. Female trees produce spherical-shaped flower clusters nearly an inch wide with greenish female flowers. When they mature in the summer, fruits are reddish purple to orange in color.
Bark
The bark is pale brown and may be smooth or grooved. In the winter time, the twigs are hairy and reddish-brown.
The bark is pale brown and may be smooth or grooved. In the winter time, the twigs are hairy and reddish-brown.
Germination/Pollination
Seed and vegetative growth are the primary processes of paper mulberry reproduction. Seed are dispersed by birds, bats, and other animals that eats the fruits
Seed and vegetative growth are the primary processes of paper mulberry reproduction. Seed are dispersed by birds, bats, and other animals that eats the fruits
Plants/Animals
Birds and other animals are able to spread the fruit over significant distances. Once established, paper mulberry is able to spread vegetatively from its roots, forming dense thickets that interfere with the growth and development of native species.
Birds and other animals are able to spread the fruit over significant distances. Once established, paper mulberry is able to spread vegetatively from its roots, forming dense thickets that interfere with the growth and development of native species.
Creative Writing
References
Davis, S., & Nesbitt, M. (n.d.). Broussonetia papyrifera (paper mulberry). Kew.org. Retrieved October 13, 2013, from http://www.kew.org/plants-fungi/Broussonetia-papyrifera.htm
Miller, James H., USDA Forest Service. Paper-mulberry Broussonetia papyrifera. Digital image. Forestry Images. 12 Aug. 2008. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.
Rawlins, Karen A., University of Georgia. Paper-mulberry Broussonetia papyrifera. Digital image. Forestry Images. 15 Oct. 2009. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.
Richard, Amy, University of Florida. Paper-mulberry Broussonetia papyrifera. Digital image. Forestry Images. 26 Nov. 2007. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.
Sheikh, Zafar. "Eradication of Paper Mulberry." Pakistan Observer. AsiaNet Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd., 15 Apr. 2010. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.
Davis, S., & Nesbitt, M. (n.d.). Broussonetia papyrifera (paper mulberry). Kew.org. Retrieved October 13, 2013, from http://www.kew.org/plants-fungi/Broussonetia-papyrifera.htm
Miller, James H., USDA Forest Service. Paper-mulberry Broussonetia papyrifera. Digital image. Forestry Images. 12 Aug. 2008. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.
Rawlins, Karen A., University of Georgia. Paper-mulberry Broussonetia papyrifera. Digital image. Forestry Images. 15 Oct. 2009. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.
Richard, Amy, University of Florida. Paper-mulberry Broussonetia papyrifera. Digital image. Forestry Images. 26 Nov. 2007. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.
Sheikh, Zafar. "Eradication of Paper Mulberry." Pakistan Observer. AsiaNet Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd., 15 Apr. 2010. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.