Kauaʻi record · kba_plant_broussonetia_papyrifera
Paper mulberry
Broussonetia papyrifera
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About Paper mulberry
Wauke (Broussonetia papyrifera) originated in East Asia and reached Hawaiʻi as a Polynesian introduction used for bark cloth. Hawaiian wauke was propagated through root shoots or cuttings in cultivated landscapes. Vigorous suckering can maintain or expand patches after plantings are abandoned.
Kauaʻi evidence
Species identity and image source are documented. Additional ecological and conservation citations are recommended.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Broussonetia papyrifera
- Common names
- Paper mulberry
- Hawaiian names
- Wauke
- Other names
- Wauke · Paper mulberry · tapa cloth tree · kapa plant · Broussonetia papyrifera
- Family
- Moraceae
- Order
- Rosales
- Record type
- Species or taxonomic group
Kauaʻi occurrence and status
- Kauaʻi occurrence
- Recorded on Kauaʻi
- Origin
- Polynesian introduction
- Conservation status
- Conservation priority; formal rank not listed
- Evidence date
- 2026-10-05
- Evidence limits
- No major occurrence uncertainty noted
Habitat and ecology
- Habitats
- Cultural plantings · Lowland moist areas
- Food and resource needs
- Light, water, nutrients, and suitable soil or substrate
- Reproduction
- Viable propagules and suitable establishment conditions
- Shelter
- Suitable soil, substrate, and vegetation structure
- Growth form
- Shrub tree
Threats and conservation
- Threats
- Loss of cultivars/practice, invasive spread in some places
- Conservation actions
- Cultural garden documentation and containment where needed
- Monitoring
- Cultural garden documentation and containment where needed
- Data gaps
- Additional ecological and conservation citations are recommended
Process and seasonal context
- Seasonal timing
- Not assessed
- Seasonal description
- Wauke (Broussonetia papyrifera) originated in East Asia and reached Hawaiʻi as a Polynesian introduction used for bark cloth. Hawaiian wauke was propagated through root shoots or cuttings in cultivated landscapes. Vigorous suckering can maintain or expand patches after plantings are abandoned.
