Renowned for its historical role in Chinese papermaking, this unique genus of small trees survives today in East Asia as a relict lineage. It is closely related to elms and hackberries, sharing several morphological traits with them.
The genus contains only one extant species, which is highly valued for its bark. This bark serves as a fundamental ingredient in creating high-quality art paper.
These deciduous trees can reach heights of up to 20 meters, developing a dark gray bark that exfoliates in flakes. The simple, ovate leaves feature serrate margins and three distinct veins originating from the base.
Its distinguishing feature is the fruit, which is a winged samara. This structure allows the seeds to be easily dispersed by the wind.
Spring
The tough phloem fibers of the bark are the primary material for making traditional Xuan paper (宣纸). This paper is celebrated worldwide for its durability and ink absorption in Chinese calligraphy and brush painting.
Although the living species is now endemic to China and Mongolia, fossil evidence reveals that the genus once flourished across North America and Europe during the Eocene and Miocene epochs.
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