Mimosa diplotricha

Giant sensitive plant
Mimosa diplotricha foliage and flower
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Mimosoideae
Genus:	Mimosa
Species:	M. diplotricha
Binomial name
Mimosa diplotricha C. Wright
Synonyms
Mimosa invisa Mart.

Mimosa diplotricha, also known as the giant sensitive plant, is a species in the Fabaceae family.

A native from Brazil, it is extremely invasive in the Pacific, where it has been introduced on all island groups, except (so far) Tonga. It was introduced on Niuē around 2000, but an ongoing eradication program has virtually destroyed all occurrences there.

Left undisturbed, the plant can grow 2 meters high and its big and sharp spines make it indeed a very unwelcome guest.

References

• Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) (2007) PIER species lists, retrieved 4/30/2007Mimosa diplotricha
• USDA NRCS PLANTS Profile, retrieved 4/30/2007Mimosa diplotricha