Description Paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) is a small or medium-sized tree usually James W.

Kisekka,
growing to 10-15m tall, but occasionally reaching 20m. Native to Japan and Taiwan 2012
(Whistler and Elevitch, 2006), paper mulberry is now found in the southeastern USA,
South America (Argentina), Africa (Ghana and Uganda) and Asia (Pakistan and the
Philippines) (Technigro, 2011).

B. papyrifera is a medium to large deciduous tree. The crown is round and spreading. It CABI
is a hardy, fast-growing tree and under favourable conditions in a hot, moist climate can
attain a height of 21 m and a diameter of 70 cm (Luna, 1996). Its stout, grey-brown,
spreading branches are brittle and susceptible to wind damage. The branches are
marked with stipular scars. Young branchlets are subtomentose and shoots are
pubescent when young. The bark is light-grey, smooth, with shallow fissures or ridges.
The stem, branches and petioles contain a milky latex (Luna, 1996).

B. papyrifera has variable mulberry-like papery leaves. Some leaves are distinctly deep CABI
lobed, while others are unlobed. Several different shapes of leaves may appear on the
same shoot. The leaves are alternate/subopposite, ovate, acuminate, dentate-crenate,
their bases often oblique, scabrous above, with a woolly surface on the lower side. The
leaves are 9.7 x 6.6 cm in size. The petioles are 3-10 cm long and the stipules 1.6-2.0 cm
long (Parker, 1956).

B. papyrifera is unisexual and dioecious. The male flower is 3.5-7.5 cm long, yellowish- CABI
white, with pendulous catkin-like spikes. The perianth is campanulate, hairy, 4-fid, and its
segments are valvate. The female flowers are in rounded clusters in globose pedunculate
heads about 1.3 cm in diameter. Persistent, hairy, clavate bracts subtend flowers. The
fruit is shiny-reddish, fleshy, globose and compound with the achenes hanging on long
fleshy stalks. The achenes are 1-2 cm long and wide.
 Leaves alternate or sub-opposite, mulberry-like and papery. Some leaves are distinctly
deep lobed, while others are un-lobed and several different shapes of leaves may
appear on the same shoot. Petioles are 3-10 cm long while stipules are 1.6-2.0 cm
long.

Male flower 3.5-7.5 cm long, yellowish-white, with pendulous catkin-like spikes; perianth campanulate,
hairy, 4-fid, and its segments are valvate. Female flowers in rounded clusters, globose pedunculate
heads about 1.3 cm in diameter; persistent, hairy, clavate bracts subtend flowers.

Fruit shiny-reddish, fleshy, globose and compound with the achenes 1-2 cm long and wide hanging on
long fleshy stalks.

The genus name Broussonetia is named after P.N.V. Broussonet, a French naturalist, who took a male
tree from a garden in Scotland and introduced it to Paris where a female tree was growing, thus
enabling fruit to be described.

Species distribution Native: China, India, Japan, Korea, Republic of, Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand Orwa, et al 2009
Exotic: Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Spain, Tonga, Uganda, Zimbabwe
Invasion In some of these regions, for example Ghana and Uganda, Haysom and Murphy (2003) James W. Kisekka,
report that paper mulberry has become naturalized and is regarded as invasive. 2012

B. papyrifera is a highly invasive species, becoming weedy and difficult to remove after CABI
its introduction. Its timber does not have high commercial value. Due to its excessive
growth, it has become an agent of change in the whole ecosystem affecting native flora,
human beings and causing economic losses.

B. papyrifera is a light demander but can grow under adverse light conditions as well CABI
(Bokhari, 1973; Luna, 1996 ). It is a highly invasive species and spreads quickly on newly
exposed sites. It spreads by seed, primarily through birds, and by root suckers, which it
sends out in great numbers from its superficial roots. It also coppices vigorously.

Following invasion of an area, it excludes other species and it is very difficult to eradicate.
If felled and uprooted it can maintain its presence by means of numerous suckers which CABI
grow from any portions of root left in the ground (Troup, 1921). Its growth is extremely
fast and it quickly out-competes other species. It is frost hardy but does not tolerate
drought. It is sensitive to root competition and cannot grow on poor sites with heavy
weed and grass growth. It is tolerant of urban pollution (including airborne sulphur
dioxide), moisture-sapping wind in hot and dry regions, and nitrogen loading near
fertilizer factories (Kovacs and Klincsek, 1982).
CABI
Has high reproductive potential
Highly adaptable to different environments
Proved invasive outside its native range

Difficult/costly to control
Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately
Taxonomic Tree Domain: Eukaryota CABI
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Spermatophyta
Subphylum: Angiospermae
Class: Dicotyledonae
Order: Urticales
Family: Moraceae
Genus: Broussonetia
Species: Broussonetia papyrifera
Taxonomy and The genus Broussonetia was named after P.N.V. Broussonet, a French naturalist, who CABI

Nomenclature took a male tree (of B. papyrifera) from a garden in Scotland, UK and introduced it to
Paris, France, where a female tree was growing, thus enabling fruit to be described
(Parker, 1956). The genus contains 8 species, 7 native to Asia and one to Madagascar.

There are 16 or 17 recognized varieties of the East Asian species B. papyrifera, including CABI
five wild varieties.The specific name papyrifera means paper-bearing. The paper made
from wild varieties is inferior to that from non-wild varieties (Watt, 1972).
Plant type Perennial, seed propagated, tree, vegetatively propagated, woody CABI
History of introduction B. papyrifera has become naturalized throughout Asia, from India and Pakistan to CABI

and spread Thailand, Malaysia and the Pacific Islands, and also in North America. It was introduced
to India in 1880 at Saharanpur and by 1924 it had spread to Lahore along irrigation
channels and into Shahdara plantation, and it was already predicted that it would
become common in the sub-Himalayan tract as well as in the more heavily irrigated
portions of the plains especially where there was little other vegetation (Parker, 1956). In
Pakistan, paper mulberry was intentionally introduced to make the Islamabad (Capital)
and Rawalpindi area green. But in less than 30 years it not only became highly invasive
in the natural vegetation but also caused health problems in the human population. It is
now commonly found in India and Pakistan from sea level to 1000 m altitude and has
become highly invasive and a troublesome weed in many localities. It has been
successfully planted in some European countries (Italy, Slovenia, Ukraine, Hungary,
Slovakia, Spain) and in the USA. It has been under trial in Tonga, Solomon Islands,
Indonesia, Zimbabwe and the subtropical Lake zone of Uganda (Streets, 1962; Erker,
1979; Coiutti, 1993). It has also been introduced in Russia, West Asia, Tropical Africa,
Polynesia, the Philippines and many other countries as a venue tree (Abdul Ghafoor,
1985).
Survival Seeds are light and small, with about 540,000 seeds per kilogram. The germination rate CABI

of seeds is 50% and the seedling survival rate is 25-30% (Luna, 1996). Seed germination
starts three weeks after sowing and is completed within four months. Green immature
fruits treated with ethylene at 0.1% concentration for 48 hours at 18C become ripe and
can then be sown in nursery beds. Seeds collected in June usually show a tendency to
be dormant for about one month after sowing, indicating a period of after-ripening. Seed
dispersed by birds has been observed to germinate readily.

B. papyrifera is native to East Asia with its warm and humid climate, with a temperature CABI
range of 0-40C and with an annual rainfall of up to 2500 mm (Sheikh, 1993). It prefers a
sub-humid warm, sub-tropical monsoon climate. The tree is remarkable for the variety of
climates in which it can be grown, being hardy enough to survive in Europe. However its
growth in cool climates is not as vigorous as in a warm, moist climate (Parker, 1956).

B. papyrifera requires moist, well-drained soil and has been unsuccessful when tried on CABI
poor soil. It prefers sandy loams and light soils. Stiff clay and hard laterite soils prevent
penetration of the roots to the sub-soil, resulting in stunted growth (Luna, 1996).
Dispersal The fruits of B. papyrifera are consumed by many types of birds and other small animals CABI
which are thought to disseminate the seeds. Water may also play a role of dispersal
alongside water courses or irrigation channels.
Impact According to the Central Development Authorities of Islamabad, Pakistan, the total CABI
expenditure on manual removal of B. papyrifera and other weeds is more than
US$500,000 per year.

B. papyrifera has the capability of massive water consumption, a reason why they are
more often seen around water, but also slowing the flow of water in channels and CABI
suppressing the growth of other plants. These channels not only provide water but also
work as a dispersal source for the seeds. The huge canopy of the tree besides covering
the outsized area provides shade over the closely growing trees and local shrubs, which
creates competition for light, space and water.

In Pakistan, direct competition of B. papyrifera limits the growth of the native Dalbergia CABI
sissoo, Morus alba and Ziziphus sp., an important source of nectar for honey bees.
especially near Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The thick monocultures at different sites have
rapidly replaced the native flora and fauna, although these thickets have also become
refuges for wild boar and other mammals, and enhanced the build up of the crow
population.

During 1995, the Pakistan Medical Research Council found more than 45% of the allergic
patients in Islamabad and Rawalpindi showed positive sensitivity to pollen of B. CABI
papyrifera, and was considered extremely important for pollen allergy tests not only
because of allergenicity of its pollen, but also for the high quantity of pollen produced and
pollen dispersibility. The need to eradicate in Pakistan was based largely on these
effects.
In addition, the growth and excessive root systems of B. papyrifera has checked the flow CABI
of most of the drains of Nallah Lai near Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, resulting in
increased flood risks, and is considered to have assisted in the worst flood of the history
in Rawalpindi where many people died or lost their homes.

The red fleshy fruit tend to attract the birds, especially crows, which become a nuisance CABI
for the residents of affected areas.
Uses B. papyrifera establishes itself quickly on denuded and degraded sites in the form of a
thick tree cover, fixing soils and preventing further erosion of eroded sites because of its
dichotomous root system (Luna, 1996). Once established, it spreads quickly to adjacent
areas, hence B. papyrifera is not generally recommended for growing on farmland along
with field crops. In a trial at Dehra Dun, India, application of chopped leaf mulch of B.
papyrifera, at 4 t/ha, improved soil moisture and phosphorus content, and led to
increased crop productivity (Tomar et al., 1992).

The timber is very weak compared to other commonly used timbers in respect to almost
all mechanical properties, either in green or air-dried condition (Gulati et al., 1981). The
timber from B. papyrifera, being soft and brittle, is used mainly in the manufacture of
cheap furniture, match sticks, packing cases, boxes, plywood, building-boards, sports
equipment and pencils (Food Agriculture Organization, 1980; Sheikh, 1993). It is also
suitable for production of newsprint, writing and printing papers. It yields rayon grade
pulp by a water pre-hydrolysis sulphate process (Guha and Madan, 1964). Pulping trials
on B. papyrifera have been conducted in Zimbabwe and Uganda. Other trials have been
carried out at the Pakistan Forest Institute, Peshawar (Suleman and Kausar, 1996).
Wood, bark and whole wood of B. papyrifera were pulped by kraft, soda, and alkaline
peroxide mechanical pulping (APMP). Kraft pulp from wood was found to have the best
strength properties, but yields were highest with the APMP process.

Bast fibre from B. papyrifera is used for tapa in the South Sea Islands and for special
paper making, such as paper napkins, lens paper, cosmetic tissue and luxurious hand-
made paper in Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia etc. from the bark (Watt, 1972).
There are 16 or 17 recognized varieties of B. papyrifera, including five wild varieties.The
paper made from wild varieties is inferior to that from non-wild varieties. This is due to
differences in fibre length, cell wall thickness, lumen diameter, etc. (Watt, 1972).
 In Japan, B. papyrifera is extensively used for manufacture of pulp and extremely strong CABI
and high quality paper (Bhat and Guha, 1952; Streets, 1962; Nicolas and Navarro, 1964;
Danaatmadja, 1992; Food Agriculture Organization, 1980). The shoots are cut into small
pieces and steamed, the bark is then stripped off and the outer dark portion scraped off
for coarser quality paper. The inner finer parts are washed, kneaded, bleached in the
sun, and then boiled in lye and pounded into pulp. However, the material cannot be
widely used for large scale manufacture of pulp and paper unless an economical method
of removing the outer bark is found. In Myanmar, papier-mch school slates are made
from wild varieties is inferior to that from non-wild varieties. This is due to differences in
fibre length, cell wall thickness, lumen diameter, etc. (Watt, 1972).

B. papyrifera can be lopped for fodder. In a study in Taiwan, the leaves were studied for
digestiblity. Of the various components, 67.7% of dry matter was digestible, crude protein
84.8%, crude fibre 65.5%, crude fat 35.0% and ash 50.3% (Lin et al., 1996). B. papyrifera
seedlings and saplings are browsed by cattle. The leaves are also used for feeding
silkworms. The chemical constituents of B. papyrifera have medicinal (antiplatelet)
properties for humans (Fang et al; 1995; Lin et al., 1996).

It has also been investigated for its properties as a pesticide. The leaf powder of B.
papyrifera when fed to Helicoverpa armigera caused restriction in its pupation and adult
emergence (Anwar et al., 1992). The xylem contains an antifungal substance (against
Fusarium spp.) (Shirata and Takahashi, 1979).
Food
Food: Paper mulberry can be used as a food for both human and animal consumption. The flowers and
young leaf of the variety Brussonetia kurzii has a protein content of 16-21%, together with nutrient
minerals such as P, K, Ca and Mg and is suitable for human consumption. The fruit comprises a ball
about 1.5 cm in diameter with numerous small edible fruits protruding-there is not much edible flesh but
it has been reported to have a lovely flavour.
Fodder Fodder: Animals browse seedlings and saplings of B. papyrifera. Leaves are lopped for
fodder with 67.7% of dry matter was digestible, crude protein 84.8%, crude fibre 65.5%,
crude fat 35.0% and ash 50.3%. The leaves are also used for feeding silkworms.

Fibre: It has been known for almost 1500 years as a plant whose bark can be used to make paper of
Fiber various grades up to the highest quality. The inner bark (bast) fibres is used for tapa (cloth) in the South
Sea Islands while in Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia it is used for special paper making, such as
paper napkins, lens paper, cosmetic tissue and luxurious hand-made paper. The male flower spikes of
Artocarpus atilis are blended with fibre of paper mulberry to make elegant loin cloths.

Timber: The wood is light-coloured, soft, greyish-white, even and straight grained. It is light, with a basic
density of 506 kg/m3. The timber from B. papyrifera, being soft and brittle, is used mainly in the
manufacture of cheap furniture, match sticks, packing cases, boxes, plywood, building-boards, sports
equipment and pencils.

Tannin or dyestuff: The tree produces a natural green to yellow-green dye.

Medicine: It is said to be astringent, diuretic, tonic, vulnerary. The leaf juice is diaphoretic and laxative.
The leaves are employed for blood sputum, vomiting blood, uterine bleeding, excess menstrual
bleeding, bleeding wounds in Chinese medicine and for a bleeding stomach in Hawaii.

Other products: B. papyrifera has properties of a pesticide where Helicoverpa armigera restricted in its
pupation and adult emergence after feeding on B. papyrifera leaf powder. The xylem also contains an
antifungal substance

Erosion control: B. papyrifera establishes itself quickly on denuded and degraded sites in the form of a
thick tree cover, fixing soils and preventing further erosion due to its dichotomous root system.

Shade or shelter: Its a good shelterbelt and windbreak

Soil improver: Mulch comprising of chopped leaves of B. papyrifera, applied at 4 ton/ha, improves soil
moisture and phosphorus content, leading to increased crop production.
Density/Biomass The wood is light-coloured, soft, greyish-white, even and straight grained. It is light, with CABI
a basic density of 506 kg/cubic metre (Luna, 1996). It is not durable.

It is a hardy, fast-growing tree and under favourable conditions (hot and moist climates), annual
increments of 0.6-2.5 cm (diameter) and 2.6 m (height) have been recorded. With a 10-year rotation for
pulp and paper production, annual yields of 8-12 t/ha can be expected in low rainfall areas and 21-30 t/
ha in high rainfall areas. In Japan it is often grown on a short coppice rotation of 3-4 years.

Biophysical Limit Altitude: 0-1000 m Orwa, et al 2009

Mean annual temp: 12-30C
Mean annual rainfall: 700-2500 mm
Soil type: Prefers moist, well-drained sandy loam and light soils
Management B. papyrifera is a light demander but can grow under adverse light conditions as well. It is a highly invasive species and
spreads quickly on newly exposed site. It spreads by seed, primarily through birds, and by root suckers, which it sends out
in great numbers from its superficial roots. It is frost hardy but does not tolerate drought. It is sensitive to root competition
and cannot grow on poor sites with heavy weed and grass growth. It is tolerant to urban pollution (including airborne
sulphur dioxide), moisture-sapping wind in hot and dry regions, and nitrogen loading near fertilizer factories.