Chinese Bulletin of Botany ›› 2018, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (3): 372-381.DOI: 10.11983/CBB17106

Special Issue: 药用植物专辑 (2018年53卷3期)

• SPECIAL TOPICS • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The Paper Mulberry: a Novel Model System for Woody Plant Research

Peng Xianjun, Shen Shihua*()   

  1. Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
  • Received:2017-05-25 Accepted:2017-07-24 Online:2018-05-01 Published:2018-09-11
  • Contact: Shen Shihua

Abstract: As a perennial tree, the paper mulberry belongs to the genus Broussonetia in the family Moraceae. It is a multifunctional tree with important economic values. Its leaves are rich in protein. Its bark fiber is excellent raw material for paper making. Its roots, stems, leaves, fruits, and seeds have been used as Chinese traditional medicine. This species has an extensive distribution and strong adaptive traits. It is dioecious, and has sexual and asexual reproduction. It is also rich in genetic diversity and easily transformed. It displays diverse phenotypes and a compact genome, and it produces a great number of seeds per plant. Therefore, as a model plant, the paper mulberry could be used for exploring the mechanism of fibre and lignin synthesis, nitrogenous and flavonoid metabolism, plant resistance, adaptive evolution at different environmental conditions, heterophylly formation and other key issues in botanical research. This paper lists the key features of paper mulberry as a model material, briefly introduces the research progress on this species, and suggests future research directions.

Key words: forage plants, genomic research, model plants, paper mulberry, raw materials for paper making