Mimosa quadrivalvis

Mimosa quadrivalvis, known as fourvalve mimosa, sensitive briar and cat's claw, is a trailing vine native to North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.[1][2][3] It is known as sensitive briar because the leaves fold when they are touched or disturbed.[4]

Mimosa quadrivalvis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Clade: Mimosoid clade
Genus: Mimosa
Species:
M. quadrivalvis
Binomial name
Mimosa quadrivalvis
L.
Synonyms[1]
  • Leptoglottis quadrivalvis (L.) Britton & Rose
  • Morongia aculeata A.Heller
  • Schrankia aculeata Willd.
  • Schrankia mexicana Raf.
  • Schrankia quadrivalvis (L.) Merr.

Description

It is a sprawling, herbaceous plant with alternate leaves. Each leaf is compound with up to 16 pairs of leaflets that fold together when touched. The stem is covered with small recurved prickles. The flowerheads comprise round clusters of numerous pink flowers, each flower only 3 mm (0.12 in) long with exserted stamens. The fruits are also prickly. Flowering occurs from May through September.[4]

  • Leaves
    Leaves
  • Flowers
    Flowers

Distribution and habitat

Mimosa quadrivalvis occurs in the central and southern United States and south to Ecuador, as well as parts of the Caribbean, such as Puerto Rico.[1]

Its habitat includes glades, open woods, thickets, prairies, and roadsides.[4]

References
  1. "Mimosa quadrivalvis L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanical Gardens Kew. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  2. USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Mimosa quadrivalvis". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  3. "natureserve.org".
  4. "missouriplants.com".
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