Paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) as a commensal model for human mobility in Oceania: anthropological, botanical and genetic considerations

Figures & data

Fig. 1  (A,B) Paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) plant from Rapa Nui (Easter Island) with female inflorescence. (C) Syncarp on a plant from Rapa Nui. (D) Feral plants, in the foreground, growing between boulders inside Rano Kao volcano, Rapa Nui.

Fig. 2  Diverse paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) leaf morphologies from: (A) Samoa (B,C) Tonga and (D) Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

Fig. 3  Map of the Pacific showing paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) sampling locations.

Table 1  Locations from which paper mulberry plants were sampled for this study.

Locations (country and/or island group)	Island	Locations within island
Chile	Rapa Nui	Roiho. Poike, Maunga Toa Toa, Rano Raraku, Rano Kao, Mataveri, Ara Tataki re reo, Hanga Oteo, Pu Toki Toki
	mainland	Santiago, Parque Arrieta
French Polynesia. Marquesas island group	Ua Pou	Haka Hau
	Nuku Hiva	Taiohae
	Fatu Hiva	Omoa, Hanavave
	Tahuata	Vaitahu, Hapatoni
	Ua Huka	Arboretum
French Polynesia, Society Islands	Tahiti	Pirae, Punauia
USA, Hawaii	Hawai'i	Kona
Western Samoa	Savaii	Palauli, Safu'a, Siutu, Salailua, Faga
	Upolu	Maangiangi, Apia, Siumu
Tonga	Tongatapu	Foui, Tekiu, Kanokupolu, Liahona, Vaini, Niutoua, Navutoka, Pelehake, Faatai, Hamula
Fiji	Viti Levu	Suva
Taiwan	Taiwan	Hua Lian river, Da Han river, Lang Yang river, Da Du river, Lao Nong river, Bei Nan river, Jhuo Shuei river, Zen Wun river

Fig. 4  This specimen of paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) Vent.) was collected in 1769 by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander during Captain James Cook's first voyage (1768–1771). It is likely, despite the ‘Friendly Islands’ label, that this plant is from the Society Islands. The label was certainly added later because the taxonomic revision resulting in the movement of paper mulberry from Morus to Broussonetia did not occur until 1799 (Tabl. regn. veg. 1799. 3:547). Specimen US 1276390; image courtesy of the United States National Herbarium, National Museum of Natural History, Smiths onian Institution, USA.