Description
Broussonetia –
There are about 8 species of fast growing, deciduous trees and shrubs, in this genus. They occur in woodland in Eastern Asia and Polynesia. They have alternate, smooth edged to lobed, or toothed leaves. Male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. B. papyriferaq, the only widely grown species, is grown for its large leaves, long pendent male catkins, and unusual fruit. It’s tolerance of pollution, heat, and poor soil has made it a popular tree fro urban locations, although it may become weedy. In areas with cool summer, it grows as a large shrub and is suitable for a shrub border.
Grow in almost any well drained soil in full sun, sheltered from wind.
Prone to a variety of cankers and leaf spot.
B. papyrifera – Paper Mulberry – This rounded, open crowned, suckering tree or large shrub from China, Korea, Japan and many other parts of the world grows 40′ feet tall and 25′ feet wide. It produces ovate to deeply lobed, gray green leaves, 8-12″ long with 2 or 3 lobes which are roughly hairy above, softly hairy below. In spring it bears male flowers w2ith creamy white anthers are borne in thick, twist, pendent catkins, to 3″ long. Female flowers, with slender purple stigmas, are carried in spherical heads, to 3/4″ across, and develop into mulberry-like, sweet tasting, orange-red fruit in autumn, 1″ in diameter.
Zones 6-9
