Fragrant mimosa

Mimosa borealis

Fabaceae (Legume family)


Description

This spiny, thicket-forming, native shrub grows up to 8 feet tall. The spines are stout, upward pointing, flat at the base, and generally singular. The stems are typically straight and alternating direction at each node.

The long, crowded leaves are made up of many opposite leaflets that are hairless. The leaves originate at a each node on a short stem, or small stalk. 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 these shrubs is poor for livestock and fair for wildlife.


Habitat

Fragrant mimosa is found mainly on dry hills and mesas in Central and West Texas.


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