Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) Venten. – Family Moraceae

General Characteristics

A deciduous tree reaching up to 15 meters in height, dioecious, with gray bark and an expansive crown. 

The leaves are deciduous, up to 15 cm long, petiolate, with variable shapes, sometimes simple, sometimes lobed. 

The male specimens bear flowers in pendulous greenish catkins with 4 stamens. 

The female flowers are gathered in erect, spherical inflorescences and have a superior ovary. 

The fruits are spherical infructescences, orange in color.

USES

As early as the 1st century AD in China, paper was made from the bark. It was introduced to Europe in 1760.

CURIOSITIES

The species is dedicated to the French naturalist P.M.A. Broussonet (1761-1807).

ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION

A wild species native to China and Myanmar. Naturalized in Europe.