Mimosa is a genus with more than 400 species of shrubs and herbs. Out of these, two species stand out because of their distinct characteristics. The Mimosa pudica, native to South America and southern Central America, displays a magical show of folding its leaves when touched or subjected to sunlight. The Mimosa tenuiflora has gained immense popularity because of the dimethyltryptamine drug, a psychedelic drug used in shamanic brews, found in its root bark.
Mimosa is an extremely fast-growing deciduous tree. On average, it grows to 20 to 40 feet (6 to 12 m) in height. Its bark is dark brown and has a smooth texture.
The soft, green leaves of Mimosa look very similar to that of the fern plant. They are 5 – 8 inches (12.5 to 20 cm) in length and 3 – 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm) in width. These leaves grow in a cluster and appear as a feather on the lime-green-colored stems. The foliage has a special sensitive characteristic in which the leaflets tend to fold themselves in at night. Because of this peculiarity, the tree's Persian name means "Night Sleeper," and it is known as the "Sleeping Tree" in Japan.
The flowers of the Mimosa are aromatic. Interestingly, it is not the petals but the long thread-like stamens of these flowers that make them look so showy and colorful. They bloom during summer, between April and July, and grow in clusters at the end of the branches.
As it belongs to the legume family, its fruits develop from flat pods. These pods are straw-colored, oval-shaped, and 6 inches (15 cm) long. Though these pods ripen by August or September, they stay on the plant until winter, after which they either drop off or are blown away by the wind. Each pod contains about 5 – 10 seeds, nearly half an inch in size, oval-shaped, and brown.
Growing Conditions
Mimosa can grow in some hardy zones and survive in temperatures as low as -10 degrees Fahrenheit (-23 degrees Celsius). Although it grows exceptionally well in bright and full sunlight, it can grow in partially shaded areas. The plant can grow on various soil types like clay, loam, and sandy soil. The soil should ideally be acidic, but mildly alkaline soil would suffice too. The plant is known to survive in droughts and hence requires little watering.
General Care
The ideal time for planting a Mimosa is during the spring on well-drained soil. As these flowering plants prefer acidic soil, it is advised that you add peat moss and composted leaves at regular intervals to maintain their acidic properties. Water the plant and soil enough, but not so much as to saturate it. Keep the area under the tree clean by sweeping away the fallen flowers and seed pods. Pruning of the branches should ideally be done during the fall. This tree often tends to get infested by pests like webworm caterpillars. If affected, the branches should be removed as soon as possible to prevent any collateral damage to the plant. If not taken care of, the need to spray insecticides might arise.
Now that you know about the conditions favorable for growing a Mimosa and the preferable time to grow it, you can plant it in your garden, patio, or deck. The Mimosa can reproduce speedily and cover vast areas in a short period. Plant it for decorative purposes to enhance the beauty of your garden.
Propagation
Reproduction occurs both vegetatively as well as by pollination. The seeds are dispersed mainly in the areas close to the parent plant but may be dispersed to other areas by water or wildlife. In vegetative reproduction, trees are cut back for regrowth.
Source: buzzle.com
Links
- Back to genus Mimosa
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin