Catclaw mimosa
Mimosa biuncifera Benth.
Fabaceae (Legume family)
Description
This spiny, thicket-forming, native shrub in the legume family grows to 8 feet tall. The spines of catclaw mimosa are stout, upward pointing, flat at the base and generally paired at each node. The stems are typically flexible, angled and alternating direction at each node.
The long, crowded leaves are made up of many opposite leaflets that are hairless. The leaves originate at each node on a short pedicel, or small stalk. Yellow or Pink to whitish rounded flowers occur in the spring and are very fragrant. By September, the fruits mature into linear, curved or straight bean pods.
The forage value of this shrub is poor for livestock and fair for wildlife.
Habitat
Catclaw mimosa is found mainly on dry hills and mesas in Central and West Texas.
Images
Plant Characteristics
Flower Color: Pink
Seed Type: Bean/Pod
Duration: Perennial
Stem Texture: Prickly, Spiny, or Thorny
Growth Habit: Shrub (Woody)
Leaf Shape
: Pinnately Compound
Season: Warm
Distribution
: 05 - Cross Timbers and Prairies, 07 - Edwards Plateau, 08 - Rolling Plains, 09 - High Plains, 10 - Trans-Pecos
Distributions
Distribution refers to the ecological region in Texas that a plant has been found. You can also view a clickable map.
Book: Brush and Weeds of Texas Rangelands (B-6208)
Collection: Brush and Weeds
