paper mulberry Moraceae Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L'Her. ex Vent. symbol: BRPA4 Leaf: Alternate, sometimes opposite, simple, oval to heart shaped, 3 to 8 inches long, serrated margin, on fast growing shoots the leaves may develop deep, irregular sinuses, upper surface quite rough, velvety beneath, milky sap exudes from petioles. Flower: Species is dioecious; males elongated, 1 to 2 1/2 inches long and occur in groups, females are round, 1/2 inches in diameter, initially both are pale and dull green, appearing in late spring. Fruit: Round, 3/4 inch in diameter, an aggregate of red drupes. Twig: Moderately stout, light reddish brown and quite fuzzy, buds are conical, leaf scars round, prominent stipule scars. Bark: Greenish gray when young, developing shallow furrows with age and turning grayish brown, old trees become gnarly. Form: Small tree reaching 40 feet, round crown, sprouts readily from roots so it often forms thickets. Looks like: white mulberry - red mulberry - osage-orange Additional Range Information: Broussonetia papyrifera is planted in the USDA hardiness zones shown above and may seed into the landscape. See states reporting paper mulberry. More: Fall Color External Links: USDA Plants Database © Copyright 2014, Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, all rights reserved. Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson