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Sensitive Briar, Littleleaf Sensitive-briar - Mimosa microphylla


Family: Fabaceae - Pea family Genus Common Name: Mimosa Native Status: NativeDicot Perennial Vine Herb
Mimosa microphylla - Sensitive Briar, Littleleaf Sensitive-briar. Thumbnail size flower. Allan Ihrer has suggested that this might be M. nuttallii. USDA, however, does not list that species in Tennessee. I originally identified this as M. quadrivalvis, which is listed both as a synonym of M. nuttallii and M. microphylla, and subsequent investigation indicates M. microphylla is likely the correct identification.

Found in:
AL, FL, GA, IL, KS, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA

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Mimosa microphylla

Distribution of Mimosa microphylla in the United States and Canada:
Map unavailable.
Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key

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Site: Gruetli-Laager, Grundy County, TN Date: 2007-July-12Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
While this is a member of the pea family, it definitely does NOT have a pea-like blossom. The thumbnail-size pink ball is a cluster of tiny flowers.
Mimosa microphylla
Site: Cloudland Canyon State Park, Dade County, GA Date: 2010-July-10Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D60
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
The "Sensitive Briar" name comes not only from the stickers on the stems, but from the fact that the pinnate leaves "close" when touched, as shown in this animated photo.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Mimosa microphylla
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Mimosa microphylla initially published on USWildflowers.com 2008-12-31; Updated 2015-06-25

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
Photographs Copyright owned by the named photographer



Code Update 20230302