dwarf paper mulberry (Broussonetia monoica) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Dwarf paper mulberry is a shrub from Asia that loses its leaves in winter. It can carry round male flowers and female flowers on the same plant. It is one parent of Japanese paper mulberry (Broussonetia × kazinoki), a grown for traditional paper in East Asia.

Appearance

Growth form: It is a shrub or small tree that loses its leaves in winter and has slender branches.
Leaves: Leaves vary from broad and unlobed to lobed, even on one plant.
Flowers: The male flower heads are round, while the female heads carry long threadlike parts.
Fruit: Small rounded fruits develop.

Look-alikes

Japanese paper mulberryBroussonetia kazinoki

Japanese paper mulberry usually grows more upright and may have larger leaves. Their leaf shapes overlap, so a close photo alone may not settle the identification.

paper mulberryBroussonetia papyrifera

Paper mulberry usually has longer leaf stalks, larger leaves, and hairier young shoots. Dwarf paper mulberry is smaller and can carry round male and female flower heads on one plant.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: forest edges in Japan
Range: It is native to Japan, southern China, and nearby parts of Asia.

Name and classification

About the name: Older books also called it Broussonetia kazinoki. Paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) is kōzo's other parent.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction

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