An absorbent article having exceptional expansion properties when wetted by an aqueous fluid is disclosed. The absorbent article has an absorbent member formed from a multitude of randomly oriented cellulosic fibers containing at least about 20% lignin. The absorbent member has a moisture content of from between about 1% to about 20% water by weight of fiber and the fibers are elastically stressed and bonded by hydrogen bonds. The fibers are retained in a stressed condition and have a density of from between about 0.2 g/cc to about 1 g/cc.
