Broussonetia papyrifera Seeds | Paper Mulberry
LATIN NAME: Broussonetia papyrifera
COMMON NAME: Paper Mulberry
Plant Profile
Known to gardeners as Paper Mulberry, Broussonetia papyrifera is a noteworthy species. Its open flowers are a reliable stop for bees and other pollinating visitors. Put simply, this is a rewarding species for anyone willing to give it a suitable spot.
Science & Biotechnology
Seed science, comparative botany and horticultural selection all touch on Broussonetia papyrifera, a representative of the Broussonetia group with clear practical value. Because it has been grown for so long, its garden habits are thoroughly documented.
Uses & Benefits
Paper Mulberry brings genuine presence to the garden and earns its keep across the growing season. Paper mulberry bark remains an important traditional papermaking fibre across parts of Asia and, in form of tapa cloth, across the Pacific islands, representing genuine, centuries-deep craft traditions. In later seasons it demands little more than an appreciative eye.
Paper mulberry bark made the world’s first true paper, and in Chinese medicine its red fruits, Chu Shi Zi, are a classical kidney and vision tonic. The leaves serve as forage and the tree is a pioneer of degraded land.
Growing from Seed
Sow fresh seed of Paper Mulberry under ordinary good conditions. Sow fresh seed into a loose, well-drained mix and keep it consistently moist. Bright light suits young tree well, though given documented invasive and allergenic concerns noted above, this is a species to plant thoughtfully and only where locally appropriate. Use a fine, free-draining seed compost, scatter the seed evenly, cover it lightly and hold it just moist in good light. Shift the seedlings into small pots as soon as they can be handled, and give them bright light until planting-out time.
Our Take
Paper Mulberry is the kind of plant that rewards a permanent spot. Start with fresh seed, keep it evenly moist, and the plant does the rest itself.
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