Plant Details

Broussonetia papyrifera

Paper Mulberry

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Common names

43 names · 32 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Aute[1]
  • Paper Mulberry[1]
  • Tapa Cloth Tree[1]
Other languages (31)
Dutch
  • Papiermoerbei[1]
French
  • Mûrier d'Espagne[1]
  • Mûrier de Chine[1]
  • Mûrier à papier[1]
Amis
Arabic
  • بروسونتة ورقية[1]
  • توت ورقي[1]
Atayal Taiwan
Bulgarian
  • Хартиено дърво[1]
Catalan
  • Morera de paper[1]
Chinese (Simplified)
+1 more nameShow fewer names
Chinese (Traditional)
Croatian
Czech
  • papírovník čínský[1]
Danish
  • Papirmorbærtræ[1]
Estonian
  • harilik paberimooruspuu[1]
Finnish
  • paperimulperio[1]
German
  • Papiermaulbeerbaum[1]
Hawaiian
Hungarian
  • kínai papíreper[1]
  • kínai papíreperfa[1]
Indonesian
Italian
  • Gelso da carta[1]
Japanese
  • カジノキ[1]
  • 梶の木[1]
Korean
  • 꾸지나무[1]
Maori
Polish
  • brusonecja chińska[1]
Russian
  • Бруссонетия бумажная[1]
Slovak
  • papierovník čínsky[1]
Slovenian
  • navadna papirjevka[1]
Spanish
  • mora de papel[1]
Swedish
  • pappersmullbärsträd[1]
Thai
  • ปอสา[1]
Turkish
Ukrainian
  • Папірниця східна[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Broussonetia papyrifera — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Paper mulberry — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • Aute — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • 構樹 — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • Tapa Cloth Tree — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • Mûrier à papier — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • Mûrier d'Espagne — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • Mûrier de Chine — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • Gelso da carta — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • 鹿仔樹 — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • Papiermoerbei — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • 构树 — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • Wauke — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • カジノキ — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • Бруссонетия бумажная — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • 꾸지나무 — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • mora de papel — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • Хартиено дърво — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • Papiermaulbeerbaum — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • harilik paberimooruspuu — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • Daluang — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • Aute — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • pappersmullbärsträd — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • Papirmorbærtræ — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • navadna papirjevka — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • بروسونتة ورقية — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • توت ورقي — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • ปอสา — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • 梶の木 — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • papírovník čínský — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • 构 — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • kínai papíreperfa — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • Dudovac — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • kínai papíreper — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • Папірниця східна — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • brusonecja chińska — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • Morera de paper — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • paperimulperio — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • 楮树 — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • 榖树 — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • papierovník čínsky — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • rolang — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • tapan — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.
  • Acemdutu — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 128032; Broussonetia papyrifera.

General information

Scientific name: Broussonetia papyrifera
Accepted name (Kew): Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L'Hér. ex Vent. View name reference ↗

Kew accepts this species, and Catalogue of Life uses the same botanical name.

Sources [4]
Botanical family: Moraceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Broussonetia (WCVP v16).

Sources [3]
Also known as: Paper Mulberry
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Fruit tree
Catalogue size class: Medium
Height: 12.19–15.24 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [2]
Spread: 9.14–12.19 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [2]
Growth rate: Fast

A typical growth category; growth varies with age, climate and growing conditions.

Sources [1] [2]
Foliage: Deciduous
Sources [2]
Growth habit: Rounded

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [2]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [2]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [2]
Soil:
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand
Sources [2]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [2]
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [2]

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit, Leaves, Flowers
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
Fibre, Paper, Wood

Description

Paper mulberry is a fast-growing deciduous tree or shrub. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Inner-bark fibre is traditionally used for paper and cloth.

Sources [1] [2]

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/09
Harvest ends: 30/11

Crown

Crown shape: Rounded and spreading
Sources [2]
Crown density: Dense crown

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Broussonetia papyrifera — Kew Species Profile
    Supports: DescriptionGrowth rate
    Relevant sections
    • Description: General information; description and uses
    • Growth rate: General information; description and uses

    Source checked on .

  2. North Carolina State University Extension Broussonetia papyrifera — North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: DescriptionGrowth rateCrown shapeHeightSpreadFoliageGrowth habitLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Description: Description; Whole Plant Traits; Edibility; Poison Symptoms and Toxic Principle, where applicable
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Crown shape: Description: crown architecture
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 754715; name ID 2683745; Broussonetia L'Hér. ex Vent.. Family column.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  4. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L'Hér. ex Vent.
    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: Name heading and taxonomic status; Kew accepts this species, and Catalogue of Life uses the same botanical name.

    Source checked on .