Paper Mulberry
From Freepedia
| Paper Mulberry | ||||||||||||||
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| Image:Broussonetia papyrifera ?.jpg Paper Mulberry fruit, immature and mature | ||||||||||||||
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| Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L'Hérit. |
The Paper Mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) is a tree in the family Moraceae, native to eastern Asia. Other names include Halibun and Kalivon.
It is a small deciduous tree growing to 15 m tall. The leaves are variable in shape (even on the same branch), unlobed ovate cordate to deeply lobed, with lobed leaves more frequent on fast-growing young plants; they are 7-20 cm long, with a rough surface above, fuzzy-downy below and a finely serrated margin. The male (staminate) flowers are produced in an oblong inflorescence, and the female (pistillate) flowers in a globular inflorescence. In summer, the pistillate 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.
Uses
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".
Masi is a Fijian term used to describe the paper mulberry tree, which was brought to the Pacific during voyages of migration. Its bark is used to make cloth, also called masi, and is dyed and decorated with traditional patterns. The cloth is worn during many Fijian ceremonies, including weddings, funerals, as well as after the birth of a new baby.
The inhabitants of the Lau Islands are renowned for their masi paintings.
