Broussonetia L’Hérit. ex Vent.
Broussonetia is – as currently circumscribed – a small genus of three species and a natural hybrid. Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses (Chung & al. 2017) revealed that species of Broussonetia in the sense of Corner (1962) were placed in two distinct clades corresponding to sect. Allaeanthus and sect. Broussonetia. To correct the paraphyly of Broussonetia sensu Corner (1962), the generic status of Allaeanthus Thwaites was reinstated. All species are native to East Asia and the Pacific Islands (Polynesia). At least Broussonetia kaempferi Siebold, B. (x) kazinkoi Siebold and B. papyrifera (L.) Vent. are cultivated as ornamentals in temperate regions of the world, also in western Europe (e.g. Nelson 1997, Roloff & Bärtels 2006). However, only the latter is widespread in the horticultural trade. It increasingly escapes and naturalizes, especially in southern Europe.
Literature:
Corner E.J.H. (1962) The classification of Moraceae. Gard. Bull. Singap. 19: 187-252.
Chung K.-F., Kuo W.-H., Hsu Y.-H., Li Y.-H., Rivera Rubite R. & Xu W.-B. (2017) Molecular recircumscription of Broussonetia (Moraceae) and the identity and taxonomic status of B. kaempferi var. australis. Botanical Studies 58(1) [available online at: https://as-botanicalstudies.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40529-017...
Nelson E.C. (1997) Broussonetia. In: Walters S.M. & al. (eds.), The European Garden Flora, vol. 3. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge: 87.
Roloff A. & Bärtels A. (2006) Flora der Gehölze (2e Auflage). Ulmer, Stuttgart: 844 p.
Zhekun Z. & Gilbert M.G. (2003) Moraceae. In: Flora of China Editorial Committee (eds.), Flora of China, vol. 5. St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press: 21-73. [available online at: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=10583]