Paper Mullberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) - Level Up Garden (2025)

The Paper Mulberry, also known as the Tapa Cloth Tree, is scientifically named Broussonetia papyrifera. Belonging to the Moraceae family, this woody plant species originates from East Asia, particularly Japan and China.

Renowned for its versatile uses, the inner bark of this tree has historically played a significant role in crafting traditional textiles and high-quality paper. Ancient Austronesian peoples utilized its bark to make clothing, a practice still preserved in some Pacific cultures. Similarly, in China and Japan, the tree remains a valuable resource for producing fine paper.

Common namePaper Mullberry, Tapa Cloth Tree
Botanical nameBroussonetia papyrifera
FamilyMoraceae
Speciespapyrifera
OriginEast Asia, Japan, and China.
Life cycleWoody
Plant typeShrub
Hardiness zone6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
SunlightFull Sun
MaintenanceHigh
Soil conditionClay
Soil phAcid
DrainageWell-Drained
Growth rateFast
Spacing24 – 60 ft.
Harvest timeSummer
Flowering periodSpring
Height4- 50 ft.
Flower colorGold, Yellow
Leaf colorGreen
Fruit colorLavender, Purple
Stem colorBrown, Copper
Fruit benefitShowy

Table of Contents hide

I. Appearance and Characteristics

II. How to Grow and Care

Sunlight

Watering

Propagation

Transplanting

III. Uses and Benefits

Find Where to Buy the Best Paper Mullberry (Broussonetia papyrifera)

I. Appearance and Characteristics

The paper mulberry or tapa cloth tree (Broussonetia papyrifera, syn. Morus papyrifera L.) is a species of flowering plant in the family Moraceae. It is native to Asia, where its range includes Taiwan, mainland China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, Myanmar, and India. It is widely cultivated elsewhere and it grows as an introduced species in New Zealand, parts of Europe, the United States, and Africa. Other common names include tapa cloth tree.

This species is a deciduous shrub or tree usually growing 10–20 m (33–66 ft) tall, but known to reach 35 m (115 ft) at times. The leaves are variable in shape, even on one individual. The blades may be lobed or unlobed, but they usually have toothed edges, lightly hairy, pale undersides, and a rough texture. They are up to about 15–20 cm (5.9–7.9 in) long. The species has male and female flowers on separate plants. The staminate inflorescence is a catkin up to 8 cm (3.1 in) long with fuzzy male flowers.

The pistillate inflorescence is a spherical head up to about 2 cm (0.79 in) wide with greenish female flowers trailing long styles. The infructescence is a spherical cluster 2–3 cm (0.79–1.18 in) wide containing many red or orange fruits. Each individual protruding fruit in the cluster is a drupe.

II. How to Grow and Care

Sunlight

Tapa cloth tree thrives best in full sun exposure, benefiting from a high intensity and long duration of light to maximize growth and health. It can, however, adapt to partial sun and even full shade, signifying a notable light tolerance level. Deviations from its optimal light may result in reduced vigor and lower resistance to stress.

Adaptive traits may include leaf adjustments to optimize light absorption under varying conditions. For outdoor growth, tapa cloth trees should be planted in locations that receive unfiltered sunlight for most of the day to ensure adequate light exposure and optimal performance.

Watering

Originating from regions with distinct wet and dry seasons, tapa cloth tree has adapted to moderate water availability. It is drought-tolerant once established, requiring watering once every 1-2 weeks to maintain a balance that mimics its native environment’s periodic rainfall. For indoor cultivation, tapa cloth tree thrives with consistent moisture but should not be overwatered to prevent root rot. As a deciduous plant, tapa cloth tree’s water needs decrease during its dormancy period in the cooler months, aligning with seasonal changes.

Propagation

Tapa cloth tree propagates easily in Autumn and Winter through various methods such as hardwood cuttings, layering, and sowing seeds. Propagation difficulty is low to medium, but signs of successful propagation include new root growth and leaf development. Key tips include using rooting hormones and maintaining consistent moisture levels in the soil.

Transplanting

The optimal seasons to transplant tapa cloth tree are spring to early summer. These seasons enable root establishment before winter. Tapa cloth tree flourishes best in locations with well-draining soil and full sun. If soil condition is poor, consider soil improvement before transplanting. Be gentle, these trees don’t enjoy harsh treatment!

III. Uses and Benefits

  • Ornamental uses

Tapa cloth tree is often planted along streets and open public spaces, as well as in courtyards and gardens as a specimen planting or ornamental tree. It is valued for its distinctive appearance, with bright orange fruits that look like pom-poms. It is often planted along with Barberry bushes.

  • Barkcloth

Paper mulberry is primarily used in the Pacific Islands to make barkcloth (tapa in most Polynesian languages). Barkcloth can also be made from other members of the mulberry family (Moraceae), including Ficus (figs) and Artocarpus. Barkcloth was also occasionally made from Pipturus nettles, especially in Hawaii. However, the highest quality of barkcloth was from paper mulberry.

Barkcloth was mainly used for clothing among ancient Austronesians and is traditionally made using characteristic stone or wooden beaters, which are among the most common artifacts found in Austronesian archaeological sites.

Numerous archaeological remains of barkcloth beaters in southern China have been regarded as evidence that the pre-Taiwan Austronesian homelands were located in the region prior to the southward expansion of the Han Dynasty, particularly around the Pearl River Delta. The oldest such remains are from the Dingmo Site in Guangxi, dated to around 7,900 BP. Barkcloth remained an important source of clothing fabrics in pre-colonial Melanesia, Polynesia, and parts of Indonesia.

However, it has been mostly replaced by woven fiber clothing in most of Island Southeast Asia and Micronesia. It is still worn ceremonially in parts of Polynesia and Melanesia. It is also used to make bags and bedding.

Although numerous names are used for paper mulberry throughout Austronesia, none are cognates, thus a Proto-Oceanic term cannot be reconstructed. In most of Polynesia, the term for barkcloth can be reconstructed from Proto-Nuclear-Polynesian *taba, meaning “bark”, with cognates including Wayan taba; Tongan, Samoan, Mangareva, and Rarotongan tapa; and Hawaiian kapa.

Other terms widely used for barkcloth and paper mulberry are derived from the Proto-Polynesian reconstructed word *siapo, with cognates including Niue, Tongan, and Marquesan hiapo; and Samoan and East Futunan siapo.

The term for barkcloth beater, however, can be reconstructed more extensively back to Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *ikay, with cognates including Uma ike; Sa’a iki; Bauan, Tongan, and East Futunan ike; and Samoan and Hawaiian iʻe.

In New Zealand, traditional Polynesian methods for producing barkcloth (aute) were retained by early settlers, despite the tree not growing as large in temperate New Zealand. Presumably the tree was used by early Māori for cloth, however by the 1770s, the primary use was to create a soft, white cloth used for fillets or in ear piercings by high-status men. Barkcloth textiles disappeared from use in the early 19th century, coinciding with the tree’s disappearance from New Zealand.

  • Paper

The paper mulberry was a significant fiber crop in the history of paper. Known for its durability and longevity, it continues to be used in various traditional and contemporary paper-making practices today. It has been used for papermaking in China since sometime between the 2nd and 8th century, and in Korea, the oldest existing block print in the world (c. 751 AD) is printed on hanji paper using its fibers.

High quality Korean Hanji and Japanese Washi are typically made from the inner bark of the paper mulberry, which is pounded and mixed with water to produce a paste, and dried into sheets.

  • Other uses

The wood of the plant is useful for making furniture and utensils, and the roots can be used as rope. The fruit and cooked leaves are edible.

The fruit, leaves, and bark have been used in systems of traditional medicine. For example, the bark and fruit of the species, known locally as jangli toot, are used as a laxative and antipyretic in rural Pakistan.

The species is used as an ornamental plant. It tolerates disturbance and air pollution, so it has been useful as a landscaping plant on roadsides. It is a pioneer species that easily fills forest clearings, and it has been considered for reforestation efforts. It grows well in many climate types.

Find Where to Buy the Best Paper Mullberry (Broussonetia papyrifera)

1

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Broussonetia Papyifera 35L (Paper Mulberry)

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€450.00

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Paper Mullberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) - Level Up Garden (2025)
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