Texas
Wildbuds

Mimosa nuttallii

(Nuttall's Sensitive-briar)

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Mimosa nuttallii, Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk Co. 6171

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Mimosa nuttallii, Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk Co. 6179

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Mimosa nuttallii, CR310, Llano Co. 3170

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Mimosa nuttallii, CR310, Llano Co. 3184

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Mimosa nuttallii, Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk Co. 6182

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Mimosa nuttallii, CR310, Llano Co. 3177

Scientific Name Mimosa nuttallii USDA PLANTS Symbol MINU6
Common Name Nuttall's Sensitive-briar, Catclaw Sensitive-briar ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 507832
Family Fabaceae (Pea) Wildflower Center Ref. Click Here
Description Habitat: Sandy or silty soils in disturbed areas, grasslands, woodland openings.
Plant: Trailing, prostrate, branched perennial, ribbed stems 2 to 6 feet long with recurved (bent-back) prickles.
Leaves: Bi-pinnately compound on prickly stalks with 4 to 8 pairs of primary leaflets, each 1 to 2 inches long, divided into 8 to 15 pairs of small secondary leaflets each 5/16-inch long that fold up when disturbed; each leaflet has a conspicuous midrib and sideribs beneath.
Inflorescence: Dense pink, ball-shaped inflorescence 1/2 to 3/4-inch in diameter with many very small individual flowers each with 5 petals and 8 to 12 protruding stamens with pink filaments and yellow anthers.
Bloom Period: April to September.
Fruit: Mature fruit is nearly cylindrically-shaped.
References: "Wildflowers of Texas" by Geyata Ajilsvgi and Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses.
Notes: Leaflets are sensitive to touch and will fold up when disturbed. Very similar to M. roemeriana, except for conspicuous midribs on leaflets, ribbed stems and shape of the fruit.
BONAP Distribution Map

Map Color Key
Texas Status:
Native

Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County

© Tom Lebsack 2024