paper mulberry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Paper Mulberry
• Tapa Cloth Tree
• paper-mulberry
• tapa-cloth-tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Papyrius papyrifera
• Trophis cordata
• Broussonetia papyrifera var. cucullata
• Broussonetia papyrifera var. variegata
• Broussonetia papyrifera var. japonica
• Morus australis
• Morus papyrifera
• Stenochasma ancolanum
• Streblus cordatus
• Smithiodendron artocarpoideum
• Papyrius japonica
• Broussonetia nana
• Broussonetia papyrifera f. laciniata
• Broussonetia navicularis
• Broussonetia papyrifera f. variegata
• Broussonetia navicularis
• Broussonetia papyrifera f. leucocarpa
• Broussonetia papyrifera var. leucocarpa
• Broussonetia papyrifera var. integrifolia
• Broussonetia maculata
• Broussonetia kasii
• Broussonetia papyrifera var. laciniata
• Broussonetia kazi
• Broussonetia spathulata
• Broussonetia billardii
• Broussonetia cordata
• Broussonetia dissecta
• Broussonetia elegans
• Broussonetia tricolor
• Broussonetia papyrifera f. oppositifolia
• Broussonetia papyrifera var. lucida
• Broussonetia papyrifera f. lucida

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Rosales and the family Moraceae, it is classified under the genus Broussonetiia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse distribution across several key regions of the European continent. In Middle Europe, it can be found growing within the territories of Austria and Hungary. Moving toward the Mediterranean, its presence extends into the Southwestern European landscapes of France and Spain. Additionally, the species is established on the island of Sardegna within the Southwestern European zone. Together, these locations highlight the varied ecological range of the species across the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Broussonetiia papyrifera is characterized by a broad altitudinal adaptability, allowing it to colonize a diverse range of landscapes. It is found across a significant vertical gradient, spanning from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 2700 m AMSL. While it can thrive in high-altitude environments, its distribution is most concentrated at a mean elevation of approximately 750 m AMSL, suggesting an ecological preference for mid-elevation zones. This wide elevational range indicates a high degree of plasticity, enabling the species to persist in various climatic and topographical conditions within its habitat.

Elevational range max:

2700 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

750 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Genetics

The genetics of Broussonetiia papyrifera are characterized by a stable karyotype and specific genomic configurations that underpin its biological development. The species possesses a diploid chromosomal arrangement, identified by a ploidy level of 2. Within this diploid framework, the organism maintains a total chromosome number of 26. This specific genetic makeup provides the structural basis for its inheritance patterns and reproductive stability, serving as the fundamental genomic blueprint for the plant's physiological and medicinal properties.

Chromosome number :

26

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Broussonetiia papyrifera is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on its woody stems, a structural trait common to many phanerophytes. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage seasonally in response to environmental changes or colder temperatures. Its growth strategy is defined by its phanerophyte life form, which facilitates its ability to establish significant biomass and maintain a dominant presence in its ecological niche over long periods.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Broussonetia papyrifera is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree. This species typically functions as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or a vine, and it maintains an independent lifestyle as a non-parasitic organism. It is a terrestrial plant, lacking any epiphytic or aquatic tendencies. In terms of physical stature, the plant exhibits significant height variability, with individual specimens ranging from a minimum of 3 meters to a maximum of 20 meters, typically averaging around 12 meters in height.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Broussonetia papyrifera is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating its metabolic reliance on standard carbon fixation processes rather than CAM or C4 mechanisms. The plant exhibits non-succulent foliage that lacks both thorns and spines, ensuring a smooth surface morphology. Its leaves are cordate in form with distinctly toothed margins, displaying significant morphological variability; leaf lengths range from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 20 cm, with a mean length of 10.75 cm. Similarly, leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 3.5 cm and a maximum of 12 cm, maintaining an average width of 7.375 cm. Structurally, the plant possesses a stem with a specific density (SSD) of 564 mg/cm³. Furthermore, Broussonetia papyrifera does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on external soil nutrient availability for its nitrogen requirements.

Leaf form :

cordate

Leaf length max:

20 cm

Leaf length mean:

10.75 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf margin :

toothed

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

12 cm

Leaf width mean:

7.375 cm

Leaf width min:

3.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

564 mg/cm³

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Broussonetiia papyrifera is characterized by a dioecious sexual reproduction system, meaning that individual plants are either male or female, and self-fertilization is absent. The flowering period typically begins in May and concludes within the same month, featuring inflorescences that are quite small, ranging from a minimum of 0.01 m to a maximum of 0.015 m in length. The plant produces fleshy fruit classified as a drupe, which is indehiscent. The seeds produced are quite minute, with a mean mass of approximately 0.00186 g (ranging from 0.00034 g to 0.0031 g) and a mean volume of 1.767 mm³ (ranging from 1.2 mm³ to 2.1 mm³). Dispersal of the seeds follows an anthropochorous syndrome, indicating that human activity plays a role in their distribution.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flowering time :

May

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit type :

drupe

Inflorescence length max:

0.015 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.01 m

Reproduction sexual :

dioecious

Seed mass max:

0.0031 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00186047633333333 g

Seed mass min:

0.00034 g

Seed volume max:

2.1 mm³

Seed volume mean:

1.76666666666666 mm³

Seed volume min:

1.2 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Broussonetia papyrifera has 2 reported plant parts identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf.

Root

1. Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters
5. Journal of natural products

Leaf

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Phytochemistry
4. Journal of Asian natural products research
5. Fish & shellfish immunology

Chemicals

Broussonetia papyrifera has 55 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, COPPER, IRON, MANGANESE, Morusin.

Flavonoids

1. Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
4. BioMed research international

COPPER

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

IRON

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

MANGANESE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Morusin

1. Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology
2. Journal of natural products

betulinic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

chelerythrine

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

quercetin

1. Food chemistry
2. Journal of natural products

(Z)-1-Hydroxy-4-(2-nitroethenyl)benzene

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters

3'-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-3',4',7-trihydroxyflavane

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters

Activities

Broussonetia papyrifera has 172 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiinflammatory, Antinociceptive, Antioxidant, Diuretic, ACE-Inhibitor.

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke
2. Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology

Antinociceptive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Diuretic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiBPH

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Broussonetia papyrifera has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Aspergillus niger, Vibrio infections, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, aromatase, asthma.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations