Corchorus capsularis L.

Identification

Fibre type	Bast fibers
Average fibre lenght	2,5 mm (0.5 – 4.8)
Average fibre width	16,5 µm (10 – 25)
Fibre ends	Blunt, spoon-shaped fiber ends.
Striations, cross-markings, flexion creases	Faint.
Associated cells	Rares.
Special features	Lumen varies in width. Transversal cut: Thick cell wall.
Herzberg staining	Dark purple.
Graff 'C' staining	Dark purple.

Botanical classification

Corchorus capsularis L.

Order:

Malvales

Family:

Tiliaceae

Synonyms:

Corchorus cordifolius Salisb.

Corchorus marua Buch.-Ham.

Plant growing area

The plant is extensively cultivated in tropical countries.

Bangladesh, Burma, China (Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang), India (Bengal), Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan.

Middle-East, North Africa.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Korea, India.

Plant cultivation and use

Corchorus capsularis is a annual or perennial shrub that grows in bushes to 2-4 m in height. It is in flower in August, and the seeds ripen in October.

Leaves and seeds are edible and high in protein.

The leaves, roots, seeds and unripe fruits have medicinal uses.

The plant is mainly used for its high strength fiber that is extracted from the bark of the stem. These fibers are used in the manufacture of packing bags, mats, coarse clothes etc.

The remaining portion after extraction of the fiber is used in the paper industry. The paper is buff grey.

China:

Fibers are employed in making mats.

Jute is one of the oldest fibers used in China in the manufacture of paper. It grew throughout China, especially in north and west areas, such as flax, hemp, ramie. All these plants are called "ma" in ancient Chinese documents.

Korea:

From the Joseon period (1392-1910), raw materials traditionally used for paper production, mainly bark of Broussonetias begin to fail. Papermakers face to a growing demand for paper stimulated by the development of publications initiated during the Goryeo period (907-1392). Other plants will be used to provide a fiber supplement such as wiwteria, rice, oat and barley straws, bamboo, jute, cotton and hemp but also willow leaves, reeds, the bark and needles of pine.

Indeed, jute seems to be used as a complementary fiber source to fibers of paper mulberry from the 15th century. However the old jute papers found in Korea could have been imported papers.

Preparation process for making paper

China:

Harvest is possible 4-5 months after sowing. It occurs when the plant is in flower.

The stems are cut at 10cm from the ground and put in bundles and then they are left to ret in stagnant water.

Shelling is performed by beating to get the tow.

The fibers are cooked for 2 hours in an alkaline solution and then ground for around 4 hours.

Vernacular names

Chinese

Huang ma	黄麻
Yuan guo huang ma	圆果黄麻

Japanese

Ichibi	イチビ
Tsunaso	ツナソ

Korean

Hwangma	황마

French

Chanvre de Calcutta
Corette capsulaire
Corette textile
Gooni
Jute
Jute à capsules globuleuses
Jute à fruit capsulaire

English

Bangla white jute
Brown jute
Daisy jute
Jute
Tossa jute
White jute

Paper names

In Asia and particularly in China, Korea and Japan, the papers are intended for a wide range of use: Papers for calligraphy and art, Papers for ceremonies, Paper as a medium of exchange, money paper, Papers for making clothes, wall hangings and bedding, Papers for architecture, interior design, Papers for crafts of various kinds, for domestic purposes and leisure. The names assigned to the paper refers to different notions: The material used, The place of production, The method of production, Appearance, Dimensions, Use, The name of an artist or a studio etc.

Korea:

Suffix ji = paper.

In Korea papers made with paper mulberry bark are the most numerous.

Papers

Korea

Hwangmaji

Used part of the plant:

Stem

Use for paper making:

Fiber

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Corchorus capsularis L.

Corchorus capsularis L.

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