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Broussonetia papyrifera
The paper mulberry, Broussonetia papyrifera (Moraceae), is one of the most adaptable and widely distributed tree species in the world.
Originally native to the Orient, Broussonetia was reputedly taken to Polynesia, where the islanders learned to make paper and the distinctive "tapa cloth" from the inner bark, and glue from the sap. Introduced to Europe in 1750 and subsequently, North America, it is widely naturalized, particularly in the eastern US, as it is frost-hardy and reproduces both by root suckers and seed. Note the dimorphic leaves (Greek: di = two; morphos = shape) - some are irregularly lobed, whereas others are completely unlobed.
