Broussonetia papyrifera

Botanical Description

Broussonetia papyrifera is a deciduous shrub or small tree with a broad, spreading crown; it usually grows up to 9 metres tall, though in a suitable climate can reach 20 metres or more. The cylindrical bole can be 50 - 70cm in diameter[ 598 Title Trees of Laos and Vietnam - A Field Guide to 100 species. Publication Author Hoang Van Sam; Khamseng Nanthavong; Kessler P.J.A. Publisher Blumea Year 2004 ISBN Description A detailed guide, with excellent line-drawings, to 100 of the more important trees of Laos and Vietnam. A very good work, giving lots of information about each plant. Originally published in the journal Blumea, it is available as a PDF on the Interne , 1093 Title Invasive Species Compendium Publication Author Website http://www.cabi.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc). ]. The tree is widely cultivated in temperate to tropical areas of eastern Asia for the fibre in its bark, there are many named varieties[ 11 Title Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Publication Author Bean. W. Publisher Murray Year 1981 ISBN - Description A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures. , 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. ]. Products made from the fibre are widely sold, especially in the Pacific Islands[ 339 Title Agroforestry in the Pacific Islands: Systems for Sustainability Publication Author W.C. Clarke and R.R. Thaman (Editors) Website http://www.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/80824e/80824E00.htm#Contents Publisher United Nations University Press, Tokyo Year 1993 ISBN 92-808-0824-9 Description The guide includes information on 100 species of plants for Agroforestry. It is also available on the web at the address given above. ]. Trees are coppiced annually for this purpose[ 4 Title A Modern Herbal. Publication Author Grieve. Publisher Penguin Year 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 Description Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants. ]. The plant is also a very popular herbal remedy in the Orient, provides an edible fruit and has a range of other uses. Broussonetia papyrifera has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. Broussonetia papyrifera is a highly invasive species in the tropics, becoming weedy and difficult to remove after its introduction. Due to its excessive growth, it has become an agent of change in the whole ecosystem affecting native flora, human beings and causing economic losses. In Pakistan, for example, it was intentionally introduced to make the Islamabad (Capital) and Rawalpindi area green. But in less than 30 years it not only became highly invasive in the natural vegetation but also caused health problems in the human population. It is now commonly found in India and Pakistan at elevations from sea level to 1,000 metres, and has become highly invasive and a troublesome weed in many localities. Following invasion of an area, it excludes other species and it is very difficult to eradicate. Not only does it spread by seed, but if felled and uprooted it can maintain its presence by means of numerous suckers which grow from any portions of root left in the ground. Its growth is extremely fast and it quickly out-competes other species[ 1093 Title Invasive Species Compendium Publication Author Website http://www.cabi.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc). ].