Mimosa Plants

Identification

• The mimosa plant has compound leaves and lime green stems that turn light brownas they mature. These plants have golden fragrant flowers about 1 to 2 inches long that grow in clusters, according to the University of Florida Extension. The tree produces flat-shaped pods with a straw-like covering, typical of many legumes. These pods, which usually remain on mimosa plants throughout winter, contain oval-shaped seeds.
  
  

Geography

• The mimosa plant originally came from Brazil and today is found in Queensland, Mariana, India and Africa's savanna. In the United States mimosas can endure winters in the South, although their flowers do better in climates that have longer and drier summers. They're mostly found in the eastern and southeastern United States.
  
  

Types

• There are roughly 400 species of shrubs and herbs in the mimosa family, according to the University of Miami Biology Department. The Mimosa pudica and the Mimosa tenuiflora, are the most notable species. The Mimosa pudica comes from southern Mexico and produces small pink ball-shaped flowers and prickly stems. The Mimosa tenuiflora has fern-like branches. The plant's bark contains chemicals used in preparing a sacramental drink known as ayahuasca in Brazil.
  
  

Diseases

• Mimosa wilt is the worst disease affecting mimosas. This fungus is capable of killing ornamental mimosas and is commonly found from Maryland to Florida and as far west as Texas. Symptoms are small wads of fungal tissue bearing spores that are occasionally found on dead twigs. Usually a laboratory culture is needed for a diagnosis, because symptoms can be difficult to detect.
  
  

Pests

• Cochineals, which are scale insects, are mimosa's main pests. Remove these parasites with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol. Chemical herbicides also can be used. If you find a large population of cochineals, destroy the plant and don't use the pot or ground where the infected plant was grown.
  
  

Warning

• The mimosa plant is notorious for overtaking open land, such as vacant lots in urban or suburban areas and roadsides. These invasive plants can be especially problematic along waterway banks because their seeds can easily be carried in water to other areas. The plants usually grow in thick clusters, which limits the availability of sunlight and nutrients for other plants.