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Mimosa borealis (Fragrant mimosa)
Stone, Robert L.

Mimosa borealis Gray

Fragrant mimosa, Pink Mimosa

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

USDA Symbol: MIBO2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The long, slender, intricately-branched stems of this 2-6 ft. deciduous shrub are curving or straight, with small thorns scattered along the branches. Leaves are delicately bipinnate. Sprawling, long-branched thorny shrub with clusters of aromatic flowers. The fragrant, pink flowers occur in soft, dense ball-shaped clusters about 1/2 in. in diameter.

 

From the Image Gallery

View herbarium specimen from Harry T. Cliffe Bexar Regional Herbarium.

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Complexity: Bipinnate
Size Class: 3-6 ft.
Size Notes: 2-6

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: CO , KS , NM , OK , TX
Native Distribution: OK to KS & s.e. CO, s. through c. & w. TX & NM to Mex.
Native Habitat: Rocky hills; canyons; brushy areas
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Rocky soils. Limestone-based, Caliche type, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam Clay
Conditions Comments: This thorny shrub is covered with small, very fragrant pink puffballs in the spring. It is a good nectar source for bees and butterflies. Great for the xeric garden. Plant away from high traffic areas. Can take extreme heat and harsh conditions once established.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Showy, Aromatic, Accent tree or shrub, Rock gardens, Blooms ornamental, Long-blooming, Perennial garden
Use Wildlife: Nectar-insects, Browse, Cover
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: High

 

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Native Plant Society of Texas - Fredericksburg, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
* Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Mimosa borealis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Mimosa borealis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Mimosa borealis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff, MAC

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