Paper Mulberry, Tapa Cloth Tree
Broussonetia papyrifera · Moraceae (Mulberry family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Shape
Ovate to cordate with an acuminate tip, sometimes variably lobed
Margin
Serrate (coarsely toothed)
Arrangement
Alternate or sometimes subopposite
Venation
Palmate-pinnate hybrid venation with prominent pale veins radiating from the base and branching upwards
Key Features
Softly hairy (velvety) lower leaf surface, coarsely serrated margins, variable leaf shapes (some unlobed, some mitten-shaped), and milky sap exuded from broken stems or petioles
Description
Paper Mulberry is a fast-growing deciduous tree or large shrub known for its soft, fuzzy leaves and milky sap. It can reach heights of up to 50 feet with a rounded, spreading crown. The bark is pale gray and fibrous, and the tree produces small, inconspicuous green flowers followed by globose, fleshy, orange-red aggregate fruits that are a favorite of wildlife.
Habitat
Disturbed areas, forest edges, roadsides, and riverbanks; thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts to a wide variety of well-drained soils
Native Range
Native to temperate and tropical Asia (including China, Japan, and Korea); introduced and invasive in North America, Europe, and various Pacific islands