Mimosa strigillosa

Mimosa strigillosa, also known as Sunshine Mimosa, and Powderpuff is a perennial ground cover in the Fabaceae family that is native to nearly all US states bordering the gulf of Mexico and grows north into Georgia and Arkansas as well.^[1] The name Powderpuff refers to the small spherical flowers that rise above the plants creeping vines. Like related species in the Mimosa family Sunshine Mimosa has sensitive leaves that can fold in a matter of seconds after being disturbed.^[2]

Because of Sunshine Mimosas mat forming nature, drought tolerance, and because like many legumes it is capable of nitrogen fixation^[3] and thus doesn't need fertilizer it has become recommended as a replacement for turf grasses for the purposes of xeriscaping and lowering environmental impact. The plant is also recommended as a turfgrass replacement because of its ability to withstand some foot traffic and mowing,^[2] although it is capable of spreading rapidly and many square feet in a single growing season and some may find it problematic that the plant is a host for the larva of Little Sulphur butterflies.^[3] Because of Sunshine Mimosas general usefulness as a landscaping plant it was named one of the 2008 plants of the year by the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association.^[2]

References

1. ^ "Mimosa strigillosa". PLANTS Profile. United States Department Of Agriculture. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MIST2. Retrieved 1 May 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Mitchell. "THE 2008 PLANTS OF THE YEAR". University of Florida IFAS Extension Service, Charlotte County. http://charlotte.ifas.ufl.edu/horticulture/newsarticles/08012008--2008PlantsOfTheYear.pdf. Retrieved 1 May 2011. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Norcini and Aldrich. "Native Wildflowers: Mimosa strigillosa". University of Florida The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep343. Retrieved 1 May 2011.