Paper Mulberry

Broussonetia papyrifera

Found in urban lots, disturbed areas, roadsides. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Not native to Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 82%

Height: 40–50 feet
Spread: 30–40 feet
Light: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture: Dry to moist

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Broussonetia papyrifera — fruit photograph — (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Original photograph

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Quercus stellata
Sun: Full sun. Soil: Dry to average. Flowers: Brown/copper, yellow or green.
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Shingle Oak
Quercus imbricaria
Sun: Full sun. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Yellow.
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Sun: Deep shade, Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Usually moist. Flowers: Yellow or green.
Similar growth form, height, spread

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At a glance

Life cycle: Woody perennial
Leaves: Deciduous
Bloom: April to May

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Recorded in 80 Virginia counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

—CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including VA

—BeesSoutheastern regional records

—Specialist beesPollen specialists

—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family: Moraceae
Hardiness: Zones 6a–11b
Soil pH: Acidic to alkaline
Flower color: Yellow, green, orange or red

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Bloom · “April to May” · Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition · Carolinas and Georgia
Flower color · “Yellow, green, orange or red” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Hardiness · “Zones 6a–11b” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Height · “40–50 feet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Leaves · “Deciduous” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Life cycle · “Woody perennial” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Light · “Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial shade (direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Soil · “Dry; Moist (documented habitat)” · Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition · Carolinas and Georgia
Soil pH · “Acidic to alkaline” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Spread · “30–40 feet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox

Conservation status

Virginia rank	SNA
Global rank	GNR
VA status	Not verified
Federal status	Not verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources