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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Mimosa_pudica is an evergreen Annual/Perennial growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Mimosa hispidula Kunth Mimosa tetrandra Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. Mimosa unijuga Duchass. & Walp.
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
The delicately fragrant flowers can be crystallized, or used in the preparation of distilled flower water[301 ]. An oil similar to soybean oil (Glycine max) is obtained from the seed[646 ].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
According to Ayurveda, the root is bitter, acrid, cooling, vulnerary, alexipharmic. It is used in treatment of biliousness, leprosy, dysentery, vaginal and uterine complaints, inflammations, burning sensation, fatigue, asthma, leucoderma, blood diseases etc[646 ]. According to the Unani system of medicine, the root is resolvent, alternative, useful in diseases arising from blood impurities and bile, bilious fevers, piles, jaundice, leprosy etc[646 ]. The root is used to control alcoholism[348 ]. The leaves are bitter, mildly sudorific, tonic[348 ]. A leaf tincture is given by teetotallers to drunkards to remedy drunkenness[348 ]. The seed is emetic[348 ]. The plant contains the alkaloid 'mimosine'[646 ]. Extracts of the plant have been shown in scientific trials to be a moderate diuretic; to depress duodenal contractions in a similar manner to atropine sulphone; to promote regeneration of the nerves; and reduce menorrhagia[413 ]. The roots contain tannin, ash, calcium oxalate crystals and mimosin[646 ]. Root extracts are reported to be a strong emetic[413 ].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Agroforestry Uses: The plant forms a dense ground cover and has been used to provide ground cover in coconut plantations[317 ]. It has been introduced to subtropical, humid areas of the Transcaucasus where it is cultivated for erosion control, ground cover and green manure[317 ]. The plant has been identified as having potential for phytoremediation of arsenic polluted areas in Thailand[413 ].
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
A plant of the tropics, but also naturalized in the subtropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,300 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 28°c, but can tolerate 10 - 32°c[418 ]. It is intolerant of frost[413 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 900 - 3,000mm[418 ]. Prefers a sunny position, but can succeed in quite dense shade[418 ]. Plants are shade intolerant[413 ]. Succeeds in most soils, including those that are shallow or poor in nutrients[418 ]. The plant is well adapted to humid areas with high winds[418 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7, tolerating 5 - 7.5[418 ]. The plant has become naturalized throughout the Tropics and much of the subtropics[317 ]. It has become a pest in forest plantations, cropland, orchards and pasture[413 ]. It is particularly likely to become a noxious weed when growing in dryland field crops, in rainfed wetland rice and in plantation crops[418 ]. Plants can flower all year round[418 ]. Plants are a fire hazard when dry[305 ]. Although they can be perennial, the plants can also complete their life-cycle within 90 days[418 ]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[755 ].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
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Plant Propagation
Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Chui mui, Kaya, Ladhugas, Lajwanti, Macco, Nam-ya-haiawn, Tikayon, Trinhnu
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Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Africa, Asia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Central America, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Indochina, Jamaica, Laos, Lesser Antilles, Madagascar, Maldives, Mexico, Myanmar, North America, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, South America, Suriname, Taiwan, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies*
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
It has become a pest in forest plantations, cropland, orchards and pasture[413 ]. It is particularly likely to become a noxious weed when growing in dryland field crops, in rainfed wetland rice and in plantation crops[418
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Status: Least Concern
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
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Botanical References
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
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