Pipturus argenteus var. argenteus
A fast-growing small tree about 4–6 m tall that attracts native wildlife, bears small white, mulberry-like fruit on female plants, serves as a host for butterflies, and thrives in full sun to part shade with moist, well-drained soil, easily propagated from seeds or cuttings.
Common Names
Native Mulberry, Australian Mulberry
Summary
Native Mulberry is a fast-growing pioneer shrub or small tree, typically 3–8 m tall with a 3–5 m spread, native to rainforest margins and coastal habitats along eastern Australia and across the Pacific. It features deep green upper leaves with a densely silvery underside from fine white hairs; flowers are tiny and white in leaf axils and are unisexual, with female plants bearing edible, small white berries along stems. The plant is dioecious, attracting wildlife as a habitat and food source for birds and serving as a host plant for Jezebel Nymph Butterfly, Mynes geoffroyi.
In cultivation it tolerates sun to part shade with good moisture and well-drained soils; young plants are frost tender; and it is drought-tolerant with intermittent watering. Propagation is by fresh seed or cuttings. It is used for rapid screening or hedging and supports wildlife; the berries are edible and attract birds; Indigenous uses include medicinal leaves and bark fibres used for fishing nets and dyes.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
9 ft 10 in – 26 ft 3 in
Spread
9.8-16.4 ft, 13-20 ft
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type
Moist, well-drained soil with a light loam to medium-clay texture, high leaf litter, and a pH of 5.5–7.
Soil Drainage
Well-drained soils.
Soil pH
5.5-7
Bloom Color
White
Bloom Time
Summer to Winter
Foliage Color
Dark green upper surface with a silvery underside
Growth Rate
Fast
Seasons of Interest
Summer, Fall, Winter
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees, butterflies, birds, and other pollinators
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Variety
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Rosales
- Family
- Urticaceae
- Genus
- Pipturus
- Species
- Pipturus argenteus
Synonyms
Urtica albidopunctata Urtica cinerascens Urtica pellucida Urtica incana Urtica fruticosa Pipturus vaihirianensis Pipturus papuanus Pipturus incanus Pipturus candolleanus Perlarius incanus Boehmeria candolleana Boehmeria cinerascens Boehmeria incana Boehmeria irritans Boehmeria propinqua Boehmeria velutina Botrymorus paniculata Pipturus propinquus Pipturus argenteus var. calcicola Pipturus incanus var. nukuhivensis Pipturus incanus var. hivensis Pipturus acuminatus Perlarius argentus Boehmeria argentea Pipturus velutinus Pipturus argenteus var. lanosus Pipturus incanus var. uapensis