Handbook of Trees of the Xohtiiekx States axd C. 



201 



The l*a])ei- Mulberry is an introduced tree 

 from eastern Asia and the neigliboring islands. 

 Introduced into this country for ornamental 

 purposes it has cscajicd and become naturalized 

 ill many h>ca]ities in tlie Atlantic states from 

 Xe\\' York to Florida and as far west as ilis- 

 souri. It does not often attain a greater 

 height tlian 40 or 50 ft. but develops a wide- 

 spreading rounded top of ample vigorous foli- 

 age and short trunk 3 or 4 ft. in thickness. 

 Tlie bark of young trunks is quite smooth and 

 liandsomely reticulated Avith pale yellow lines. 

 Old trunks commonly become singularly 

 niiarlcd and convoluted. The tree is called 

 Paper Mulberry from the fact that paper of 

 very good quality is made in China and Japan 

 from its inner bark. The tapa-cloth which is 

 used extensively by the South Pacific Islanders 

 is also a product of this tree, being made from 

 the inner bark by maceration and pounding 

 to remove the nou-fibrous portion. 



The wood is rather soft, light, coarse-grained 

 and easily worked, but of no commercial im- 

 portance in this country. 1 



Lrarrs iisiinll.v nvatp. .S-S in. Intii;', not lobed and 

 also (especia'l.v on .youn^' plants i variously 3-5- 

 lobed oi- witli single lobe on one side all forp^s 

 commonl.v on the same tree, cordate or rounded 

 at base, acnrainate. serrate-dentatp. rough above, 

 velvety tomentose beneath, long petiolate. 

 Flowerx in middle sprin-i. staminate araents 

 pedunrled. Fruit heads % in. across, with red 

 exserted fleshy perianth. - 



1. A. W., XI, 2G6. 



2. For genus see p. 4.33. 



