Mimosa texana

Texas mimosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Mimosoideae
Genus:	Mimosa
Species:	M. texana
Binomial name
Mimosa texana (A. Gray) Small
Synonyms
Mimosa biuncifera Mimosa borealis var. texana Mimosa wherryana Mimosopsis wherryana [1]

Mimosa texana is a shrub in the Fabaceae family. It is commonly known as the Texas mimosa, the Texas catclaw or the Wherry mimosa and is endemic to upland regions of Mexico and Texas.^[2] This species used to be classified as Mimosa biuncifera but it was found that phenotypic variations occurred across its range and a new taxonomy was proposed by Rupert C. Barneby in 1986, splitting the species into Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera and Mimosa texana.^[3]

Distribution

Texas mimosa is found on alkaline soils in Mexico and Zapata and Starr counties in the state of Texas. It is uncommon and grows on caliche and gravelly hillsides.^[4]

Description

This species is a straggly, much branched, deciduous shrub of up to two metres tall. It has slender, zigzag, dark coloured twigs clad in backward pointing prickles. The alternate bi-pinnate leaves have medium sized leaflets. The globular flowers are creamy-white and cover the bush in the spring. They are intensely fragrant and attract numerous insects. The seed pods are brick red and flattened, with prickly edges.^[4]

References

1. ^ Dave's Garden: Mimosa texana
2. ^ USDA
3. ^ Re-evaluation of Mimosa biuncifera and M. texana (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae)
4. ^ ^{a b} Museum of Learning: Mimosa texana