Paper Mulberry is an uncommon exotic small tree of edges and waste areas. Its leaves, like those of Red Mulberry (Morus rubra), are quite variable. The leaves are hairier and rougher than those of Red Mulberry.

Paper Mulberry is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are produced on separate trees. Male trees produce long clusters of flowers in mid-April.

Mason Farm, Orange Co., NC 4/20/03.

Female trees produce bizarre ball-shaped flower clusters.

Mason Farm, Orange Co., NC 4/20/03.

These mature into even more bizarre red ball-shaped aggregate fruits.

Mason Farm, Orange Co., NC 9/30/05.

The bark is pale gray and very shallowly ridged.

On gnarled large trees, the bark is often quite yellowish at the base.