paper mulberry

American  

noun

1. a mulberry tree, Broussonetia papyrifera, of eastern Asia, having alternate leaves that vary in size, round catkins, and orange-red fruit, grown widely as a shade tree.

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paper mulberry British  

noun

1. a small moraceous E Asian tree, Broussonetia papyrifera, the inner bark of which was formerly used for making paper in Japan See also tapa

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Etymology

Origin of paper mulberry

First recorded in 1770–80; so called because its bark is used to make paper

Example Sentences

That problem is largely attributed to paper mulberry trees, which were planted extensively during the city's early development.

From Barron's • Feb. 8, 2026

A garden on the Rue Vivienne side has been planted with species reminiscent of the book: paper mulberry, paper birch, Chinese palm.

From New York Times • Oct. 14, 2022

Claire’s white station wagon, with two people in it, was stopped under the paper mulberry tree.

From "Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt

Being arrived at the shrubbery which we had in view, we found it was nothing but a small plantation of the paper mulberry, of which here, as well as at Otaheite, they make their cloth.

From A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels — Volume 14 by Kerr, Robert

His face was covered with a thin mask of paper mulberry bark; but Felix knew he was the self-same person whom they had seen the day before in the central temple.

From The Great Taboo by Allen, Grant