Mimosa strigillosa

Botanical Name

Mimosa strigillosa Torrey & A. Gray

Common Name(s)

  • powderpuff
  • vergonzosa (Spanish)

Synonyms

Legume Clades

Caesalpinioideae , Mimosoid Clade , Core Mimosoids , Mimosa Clade , Mimosa

Native Geographic Range

  • South Central North America
  • Southeastern North America
  • South Central South America

IUCN Status

Growth Form

perennial herb

Cultivation Status in AZ

Uniquely cultivated by DELEP

Description

Cold-deciduous plants with unarmed, trailing stems that root at the nodes and form a mat several feet (ca. 1+ m) across. Leaves are bipinnate with 3--7 pairs of pinnae. There are 11--21 pairs of leaflets per pinna and these exhibit rapid movement in response to touch. Showy pink flower heads appear above the stems are produced in summer.

Habitat

Widespread from Florida to Arkansas and Texas, and in adjacent northeastern Mexico. Also native to parts of northern Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. This species occurs most commonly along streams, wet areas, and roadsides, and sometimes on drier sites in prairies and brushland.

Uses

Powderpuff has potential as a ground cover and for erosion control in areas with sufficient rainfall.

Horticulture

Though not currently grown in Arizona, powderpuff mimosa is planted in the southeastern U.S. as a low-water alternative to lawns. It is reported to tolerate mowing and some foot traffic. This species is relatively drought-tolerant once established. The plants brown out with freezing temperatures. Plants have survived 16° F (-9° C) in Tucson. Litter is minimal.