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Local scripture:

白檀

Symplocos paniculata Miq. © Flora of China

Symplocos paniculata Miq. © CFH Nature Museum

Botanical classification

Symplocos paniculata Miq.

Order:

Ericales

Family:

Symplocaceae

Synonyms:

Cotoneaster coreanus H. Lév.

Myrtus chinensis Lour.

Palura chinensis (Lour.) Koidz.

Palura chinensis var. pilosa Nakai

Palura sinica (Ker Gawl.) Miers

Prunus mairei H. Lév.

Prunus paniculata Thunb.

Symplocos chinensis var. vestita (Hemsl.) Hand.-Mazz.

Symplocos crataegoides Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don

Symplocos hunanensis Hand.-Mazz.

Symplocos simaoensis Y.Y. Qian

Symplocos sinica Ker Gawl.

Symplocos sinica var. vestita Hemsl.

Plant growing area

Native to northern Burma, South Vietnam and East Asia.

Bhutan, Burma, China (Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan, Xizang, Zhejiang), India (Sikkim), Japan, Korea, Laos, Pakistan, Vietnam.

Grows on slopes in mixed forests, from 800 to 2500 m altitude.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

Symplocos paniculata is a deciduous shrub about 3m high but it can reach 10m high. The flowers are white and fragrant forming clusters. Flowering occurs from April to June The fruits are small blue-violet drupes, ripe in autumn. They are consumed as jams or jellies.

This shrub prefers well-drained and slightly calcareous soils. Sun exposure to partial shade is needed for its growth.

It has been introduced to many countries as an ornamental.

The bark, astringent and tonic is used for the treatment of intestinal disorders, ulcers and sprains.
A yellow dye is extracted from the leaves and bark of the shrub. It is mostly used as a base for red dyes.

The ashes produced by combustion of the plant are also used as mordant because they contain a high concentration of aluminum. Indeed Symplocos are bio-accumulators of aluminum, leaves storing naturally alum. The leaves, dried and ground, can also be directly employed.

Japan:

Symplocos paniculata is mentioned from the Edo period (1603-1868) as a mordant for violet shikon dyeing (Lithospermum erythorizon). The ashes are used as they contain a high amount of aluminum.

Preparation process for making paper

Japan:

Dyeing of paper is performed in two ways: pulp dyeing (sukizome) or sheet dyeing (hitashizome by dipping or hikizome by brushing).
To dye paper by soaking, the sheets are plucked one by one between two wooden sticks by the small side. This will keep the sheet flat during soaking.

Korea:

The papers are dyed in three ways: dyeing of the pulp (Seonyeombeop), dyeing of the sheet by dipping, brushing and spraying (Huyeombeop ), combination of the both methods (Honyeombeop). Then the paper can be hammered.

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.

Used part of the plant:

Bark

Leaf

Use for paper making:

Dye

Mordant

Language:

English

Botanical classification

Symplocos paniculata Miq.

Order:

Ericales

Family:

Symplocaceae

Synonyms:

Cotoneaster coreanus H. Lév.

Myrtus chinensis Lour.

Palura chinensis (Lour.) Koidz.

Palura chinensis var. pilosa Nakai

Palura sinica (Ker Gawl.) Miers

Prunus mairei H. Lév.

Prunus paniculata Thunb.

Symplocos chinensis var. vestita (Hemsl.) Hand.-Mazz.

Symplocos crataegoides Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don

Symplocos hunanensis Hand.-Mazz.

Symplocos simaoensis Y.Y. Qian

Symplocos sinica Ker Gawl.

Symplocos sinica var. vestita Hemsl.

Plant growing area

Native to northern Burma, South Vietnam and East Asia.

Grows on slopes in mixed forests, from 800 to 2500 m altitude.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

This shrub prefers well-drained and slightly calcareous soils. Sun exposure to partial shade is needed for its growth.

It has been introduced to many countries as an ornamental.

Japan:

Symplocos paniculata is mentioned from the Edo period (1603-1868) as a mordant for violet shikon dyeing (Lithospermum erythorizon). The ashes are used as they contain a high amount of aluminum.

Preparation process for making paper

Japan:

Korea:

Paper names

Used part of the plant:

Bark

Leaf

Use for paper making:

Dye

Mordant

Language:

Japanese

Local scripture:

キガンピ

黄雁皮

Wikstroemia trichotoma (Thunb.) Makino © Flora of China

Wikstroemia trichotoma (Thunb.) Makino © Asian Flowers

Wikstroemia trichotoma (Thunb.) Makino © T.H. Choi

Identification

Fibre type	Bast fiber
Average fibre lenght	4 mm
Average fibre width	19,8 μ
Fibre ends	Variable.
Striations, cross-markings, flexion creases	Cross-markings.
Associated cells
Special features	Faint wall.
Herzberg staining	Purple.
Graff 'C' staining	Reddish purple.

Botanical classification

Wikstroemia trichotoma (Thunb.) Makino

Order:

Malvales

Family:

Thymelaeaceae

Synonyms:

Diplomorpha ellipsocarpa (Maxim.) Nakai

Diplomorpha trichotoma (Thunb.) Nakai

Passerina japonica Siebold & Zucc.

Queria trichotoma Thunb.

Wikstroemai ellipsocarpa Maxim.

Wikstroemia japonica (Siebold & Zucc.) Miq.

Plant growing area

China (Anhui, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Jiangxi, Zhejiang), Japan (wild. Kiushu, West Japan), South Korea.

Grows in open forests, among shrubs on limestone hills, shaded places, roadsides, ca. 600 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Korea, Japan.

Plant cultivation and use

Wikstroemia trichotoma is a shrub of the Thymelaceae family, which includes nearly 500 species in 44 genera. There is a great confusion among the various Wikstroemias, Stelleras, Edgeworthias and especially Daphnes, because their morphologies are very similar.

Thymelaceaes are base plants for paper making in the Himalaya areas. The plants are valued for the large amount of hemicelluloses contained in the bark. They are also very much used in Chinese medicine.

Wikstroemia sikokiana is an evergreen shrub, from 0,5m to 3,5m tall. Blooming takes place in summer. Its fruits are not edible and it has no known medicinal use.

China:

There are 14 wikstroemia species in Yunnan among which 6 are located in the northwest (delavayi, leptophylla, canescens, lichiangensis, scytophylla, lamatsoensis).

Preparation process for making paper

Japan:

Harvesting takes place every three years from mid-March to late April when the sap is rising and makes the fibers bright and makes debarking easier.
The bark is peeled off immediately without steaming and hung to dry. At this stage the bark is called "black bark".

Alkaline cooking is done at this stage and lasts 2 to 3 hours. The alkaline agent is wood ashes lye or lime or caustic soda. Bleaching is sometimes made with chlorine.

After cooking barks are placed in water for several days to remove cooking residues. It also allows achieving bleaching.

Beating is done manually or with a small hollander beater. Sorting hard impurities is done manually or, more recently, with diaphragm flat screen because the fibers are relatively short. In this case the sorting is done after pulp beating.

Paper names

Korea:

Suffix ji = paper.

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

Used part of the plant:

Bark

Use for paper making:

Fiber

Language:

Korean

Local scripture:

산 닥나무

Identification

Fibre type	Bast fiber
Average fibre lenght	4 mm
Average fibre width	19,8 μ
Fibre ends	Variable.
Striations, cross-markings, flexion creases	Cross-markings.
Associated cells
Special features	Faint wall.
Herzberg staining	Purple.
Graff 'C' staining	Reddish purple.

Botanical classification

Wikstroemia trichotoma (Thunb.) Makino

Order:

Malvales

Family:

Thymelaeaceae

Synonyms:

Diplomorpha ellipsocarpa (Maxim.) Nakai

Diplomorpha trichotoma (Thunb.) Nakai

Passerina japonica Siebold & Zucc.

Queria trichotoma Thunb.

Wikstroemai ellipsocarpa Maxim.

Wikstroemia japonica (Siebold & Zucc.) Miq.

Plant growing area

China (Anhui, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Jiangxi, Zhejiang), Japan (wild. Kiushu, West Japan), South Korea.

Grows in open forests, among shrubs on limestone hills, shaded places, roadsides, ca. 600 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Korea, Japan.

Plant cultivation and use

Wikstroemia sikokiana is an evergreen shrub, from 0,5m to 3,5m tall. Blooming takes place in summer. Its fruits are not edible and it has no known medicinal use.

China:

There are 14 wikstroemia species in Yunnan among which 6 are located in the northwest (delavayi, leptophylla, canescens, lichiangensis, scytophylla, lamatsoensis).

Preparation process for making paper

Japan:

Alkaline cooking is done at this stage and lasts 2 to 3 hours. The alkaline agent is wood ashes lye or lime or caustic soda. Bleaching is sometimes made with chlorine.

After cooking barks are placed in water for several days to remove cooking residues. It also allows achieving bleaching.

Paper names

Korea:

Suffix ji = paper.

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

Used part of the plant:

Bark

Use for paper making:

Fiber

Daphne pseudomezereum A. Gray © Flora of China

Daphne pseudomezereum A. Gray © L.B. Vilmont

Identification

Fibre type	Bast fiber
Average fibre lenght	5mm
Average fibre width
Fibre ends
Striations, cross-markings, flexion creases
Associated cells
Special features	Looks like gampi and mitsumata.
Herzberg staining
Graff 'C' staining	Grey-blue.

Botanical classification

Daphne pseudomezereum A. Gray

Order:

Malvales

Family:

Thymelaeaceae

Synonyms:

Daphne japonica Siebold & Zucc.

Plant growing area

China (Jilin, Liaoning), Japan, Korea.

It grows in forest at an altitude from 800 to 1600m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Korea, Japan.

China:

Xizang (Tibet).

Plant cultivation and use

Daphnes are shrubs or sub-shrubs of the Thymelaceae family. Daphnes comprise from 50 to 95 species, according to the classifications. Some species grow in the plains, others in the mountains, in rockery; they appreciate calcareous soils. The plants are recognizable by their colorful flowers and toxic fruits.
There is a great confusion among the various Daphnes, Edgeworthias and especially Wikstroemias because their morphologies are very similar.

The etymology of daphne pseudomezereum comes on one hand, from the name of the nymph, daughter of Peneus, who pursued by Apollo, was transformed into a laurel tree to escape, and on the other hand from the Arabic word mezereum which means toxic.

Daphne pseudomezereum is a shrub, deciduous in summer, which can reach 1.5 m in height and prefers sunny areas. Flowers are pale green and flowering occurs in March to April. It is easy to propagate but its life does not exceed ten years.

The bark contains a large amount of hemicelluloses which makes it valuable in the manufacture of paper. Daphnes are the base plants for making paper at the foot of Himalayas.

China:

Daphne papers are considered as the best in Tibet where they are called dug-shog which means poison paper because of the repellent properties of the bark.

Japan:

The plant has been used in the manufacture of paper during the Nara period (710-794).

Paper names

China:

Suffixes zhi or chih = paper.

In China, unlike Korea and Japan, papers made with paper mulberry fibers are not prominent, the production of paper from bamboo fiber being the most important.

Used part of the plant:

Bark

Use for paper making:

Fiber

Wikstroemia chamaedaphne © Plantillustrations

Wikstroemia chamaedaphne © CFH Nature Museum

Identification

Fibre type
Average fibre lenght
Average fibre width
Fibre ends
Striations, cross-markings, flexion creases
Associated cells
Special features
Herzberg staining
Graff 'C' staining

Botanical classification

Wikstroemia chamaedaphne (Bunge) Meisn.

Order:

Malvales

Family:

Thymelaeaceae

Synonyms:

Daphne canescens Wall.

Daphne chamaedaphne (Bunge) Halda

Daphne sericea Wall. ex D.Don

Diplomorpha canescens (Wall. ex Meisn.) C.A. Mey.

Diplomorpha chamaedaphne (Bunge) C.A. Mey.

Diplomorpha virgata (Wall.) C.A. Mey.

Wiskstroemia canescens Wall. ex Meisn.

Wikstroemia salicifolia Decne.

Wikstroemia virgata Wall. ex Meisn.

Plant growing area

China (Gansu, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Sichuan).

Grows in open mixed forests, on bushy slopes, among boulders and on roadsides at an altitude from 500 to 1900m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China.

Plant cultivation and use

Wikstroemia chamaedaphne is a shrub of the Thymelaceae family, family, which includes nearly 500 species in 44 genera. There is a great confusion among the various Wikstroemias, Stelleras, Edgeworthias and especially Daphnes, because their morphologies are very similar.

Wikstroemia Chamaedaphne is an evergreen shrub that reaches 1m to 1.50m high.

China:

There are 14 wikstroemia species in Yunnan among which 6 are located in the northwest (delavayi, leptophylla, canescens, lichiangensis, scytophylla, lamatsoensis).

Paper names

Used part of the plant:

Bark

Use for paper making:

Fiber

Language:

English

Curcuma aromatica Salisb. © Flora of China

Botanical classification

Curcuma aromatica Salisb.

Order:

Zingiberales

Family:

Zingiberaceae

Plant growing area

Curcuma aromatica occurs wild and cultivated mainly in Indo-Malesian region.

Bhutan, Burma, China (Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Sichuan, Xizang/Tibet, Yunnan, Zhejiang), India, Nepal, Sri Lanka.

It grows between 700-1100m and needs temperatures between 20 °C and 30 °C and a considerable amount of water.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

Curcuma aromatica is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant. The foliage dies down in late autumn and the rhizomes remain dormant in winter. During summer monsoon season, the plant grows fast and can reach a height of about 40 cm tall.

Curcuma aromatica is used as a culinary ingredient, dye, cosmetic and herbal medicine with strong antibiotic properties.

The rhizome contains an essential oil and curcumin, a polyphenol, which is the active substance.

Curcumin is a pH indicator: in acidic solutions it turns yellow, whereas in basic solutions it turns red.

Turmeric has always had a symbolic place in the ceremonies and religious uses in India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pacific islands (marriage, birth, initiation, death ...). In particular, it is used for dyeing in yellow the dress of the Buddhist monks. It makes a poor fabric dye, as it fades with exposure to sunlight; however, it is commonly used in Indian clothing.

Preparation process for making paper

When harvesting the lateral rhizomes are taken to be cut into pieces and serve for replanting. The plants are gathered annually. They can be used fresh or prepared as a powder. In that instance, they must be boiled for several hours, then peeled from their skin and dried in the sun or in an oven. After complete drying they will be ground into powder. Fresh, they are crushed into a paste for immediate use.

Mordants used are aluminum (orange-yellow), iron (brown-black).

China:

Harvesting takes place when the leaves wilt, when the plant is about 1 year old.

The rhizomes are boiled and then dried in the sun.

They are ground into powder when they are dry or in paste when they are fresh for immediate use.

Japan:

To extract the dye, the plant is immerged in alcohol.

Dyeing of papers is performed in two ways: pulp dyeing (sukizome) or sheet dyeing (hitashizome by dipping or hikizome by brushing).

To dye paper by soaking, the sheets are plucked one by one between two wooden sticks by their small side. This will keep the sheet flat during soaking.

Usually the pulp is dyed in the vat before making the sheet.

Korea:

The roots are boiled and the extract is filtered before using it for dyeing.

Paper names

Used part of the plant:

Root

Use for paper making:

Dye

Language:

French

Botanical classification

Curcuma aromatica Salisb.

Order:

Zingiberales

Family:

Zingiberaceae

Plant growing area

Curcuma aromatica occurs wild and cultivated mainly in Indo-Malesian region.

Bhutan, Burma, China (Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Sichuan, Xizang/Tibet, Yunnan, Zhejiang), India, Nepal, Sri Lanka.

It grows between 700-1100m and needs temperatures between 20 °C and 30 °C and a considerable amount of water.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

Curcuma aromatica is used as a culinary ingredient, dye, cosmetic and herbal medicine with strong antibiotic properties.

The rhizome contains an essential oil and curcumin, a polyphenol, which is the active substance.

Curcumin is a pH indicator: in acidic solutions it turns yellow, whereas in basic solutions it turns red.

Preparation process for making paper

Mordants used are aluminum (orange-yellow), iron (brown-black).

China:

Harvesting takes place when the leaves wilt, when the plant is about 1 year old.

The rhizomes are boiled and then dried in the sun.

They are ground into powder when they are dry or in paste when they are fresh for immediate use.

Japan:

To extract the dye, the plant is immerged in alcohol.

Dyeing of papers is performed in two ways: pulp dyeing (sukizome) or sheet dyeing (hitashizome by dipping or hikizome by brushing).

To dye paper by soaking, the sheets are plucked one by one between two wooden sticks by their small side. This will keep the sheet flat during soaking.

Usually the pulp is dyed in the vat before making the sheet.

Korea:

The roots are boiled and the extract is filtered before using it for dyeing.

Paper names

Used part of the plant:

Root

Use for paper making:

Dye

Language:

English

Identification

Fibre type	Bast fiber.
Average fibre lenght	5mm
Average fibre width	21μm
Fibre ends	Very variable, tapering rounded.
Striations, cross-markings, flexion creases	Faint crossmarkings.
Associated cells	Often present. Pitted vessel elements and parenchyma cells. Presence of cratered vessels larger than those of flax, but similar to hemp.
Special features	Short fibers. Irregularly shaped fiber ends and walls lumen. Looks like woodpulp (vessels) and straw pulp. Transverse shape: square or rectangular.
Herzberg staining	Blue.
Graff 'C' staining	Fiber in yellow with blue or green lumen.

Botanical classification

Hibiscus cannabinus L.

Order:

Malvales

Family:

Malvaceae

Synonyms:

Abelmoschus verrucosus (Guill. & Perr.) Walp.

Furcaria cavanillesii Kostel.

Hibiscus unidens Lindl.

Hibiscus verrucosus Guill. & Perr.

Ketmia glandulosa Moench

Plant growing area

Native to Africa and India.

Cultivated in China (Guangdong, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Liaoning, Yunnan, Zhejiang), India, East-Asia, East Africa.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, India, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

Hibiscus cannabinus is an annual herb which can reach more than 3 m high. The flowers are pale yellow or red with crimson centres. Blooming occurs from summer to autumn. Its growth is rapid; the plant can reach over four feet in four months.

Kenaf was grown in Egypt a millennium BC for making ropes and cloth (bags, sails).

The plant is grown all over Asia, mainly as fiber crop and for its oil which is used industrially. The fibers are used in the manufacture of coarse fabrics such as carpets.

Kenaf is used in India for the manufacture of cigarette paper. The rapid growth of the plant encourages papermakers to use it instead of wood in the production of paper pulp. Thus, the bast fibers or the whole stem itself are used.

Japan:

Kenaf is a modern paper fiber in Japan.

Preparation process for making paper

The harvest takes place in November-December when the stem has lost its leaves.

Paper names

Used part of the plant:

Stem

Use for paper making:

Fiber

Language:

Japanese

Local scripture:

きようおう

キョウオウ

Botanical classification

Curcuma aromatica Salisb.

Order:

Zingiberales

Family:

Zingiberaceae

Plant growing area

Curcuma aromatica occurs wild and cultivated mainly in Indo-Malesian region.

Bhutan, Burma, China (Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Sichuan, Xizang/Tibet, Yunnan, Zhejiang), India, Nepal, Sri Lanka.

It grows between 700-1100m and needs temperatures between 20 °C and 30 °C and a considerable amount of water.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

Curcuma aromatica is used as a culinary ingredient, dye, cosmetic and herbal medicine with strong antibiotic properties.

The rhizome contains an essential oil and curcumin, a polyphenol, which is the active substance.

Curcumin is a pH indicator: in acidic solutions it turns yellow, whereas in basic solutions it turns red.

Preparation process for making paper

Mordants used are aluminum (orange-yellow), iron (brown-black).

China:

Harvesting takes place when the leaves wilt, when the plant is about 1 year old.

The rhizomes are boiled and then dried in the sun.

They are ground into powder when they are dry or in paste when they are fresh for immediate use.

Japan:

To extract the dye, the plant is immerged in alcohol.

Dyeing of papers is performed in two ways: pulp dyeing (sukizome) or sheet dyeing (hitashizome by dipping or hikizome by brushing).

To dye paper by soaking, the sheets are plucked one by one between two wooden sticks by their small side. This will keep the sheet flat during soaking.

Usually the pulp is dyed in the vat before making the sheet.

Korea:

The roots are boiled and the extract is filtered before using it for dyeing.

Paper names

Used part of the plant:

Root

Use for paper making:

Dye

Primary tabs

Symplocos paniculata Miq.

Symplocos paniculata Miq.

Wikstroemia trichotoma (Thunb.) Makino

Wikstroemia trichotoma (Thunb.) Makino

Daphne pseudomezereum A. Gray

Wikstroemia chamaedaphne (Bunge) Meisn.

Curcuma aromatica Salisb.

Curcuma aromatica Salisb.

Hibiscus cannabinus L.

Curcuma aromatica Salisb.

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Search

Primary tabs

Symplocos paniculata Miq.

Symplocos paniculata Miq.

Wikstroemia trichotoma (Thunb.) Makino

Wikstroemia trichotoma (Thunb.) Makino

Daphne pseudomezereum A. Gray

Wikstroemia chamaedaphne (Bunge) Meisn.

Curcuma aromatica Salisb.

Curcuma aromatica Salisb.

Hibiscus cannabinus L.

Curcuma aromatica Salisb.

Pages