Paper Mulberry is a deciduous tree growing to 15 m tall, native to Japan
and neighbouring areas. The leaves are
variable in shape, just like Mulberry leaves. They can be ovate heart-
shaped to deeply lobed. They are 7–20 cm long, with a rough surface above,
fuzzy-downy below and a finely toothed margin. The male flowers are
produced in an oblong inflorescence, and the female flowers occur in a
ball, with long hairs on the surface. In summer, the female flower matures
into a red to orange, sweet, juicy fruit 3–4 cm diameter, which is an
important food for wild animals. The fruit is edible and very sweet, but
too fragile to be commercialised. The bark is composed of very strong
fibres, and can be used for making high-quality paper. The tender leaves
and twigs can be used to feed deer, and the tree is sometimes nicknamed
the "Deer's Tree".
Identification credit: Tabish
Photographed in Zoo, Delhi.
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The flower labeled Paper Mulberry is ...