Virginia Tech Dendrology

paper mulberry Moraceae Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L'Her. ex Vent. Listen to the Latin Link to this fact sheet 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
leaf flower twig bark form1 map
Additional Range Information: Broussonetia papyrifera is planted in the USDA hardiness zones shown above and may seed into the landscape. Download the full-size PDF map.
More Information: Fall Color
External Links: USDA Plants Database
All material © 2019 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information