Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Friday - February 21, 2014
From: Janesville, WI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Invasive Plants, Non-Natives, Problem Plants, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Is Mimosa pudica poisonous from Janesville WI
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I have just recently learned of Mimosa Pudica also known as the sensitive plant. I see using the USDA website that it can be found in the USA so I think that covers the North America aspect. I have been trying to determine if its Toxic. I have searched on the internet and have come up with conflicting answers and the USDA plant guide says nothing about this topic. I would like to bring it into the daycare where I work however I do not want to if its poisonous. Could you please let me know and if it is is there anything that is similar that isn't?ANSWER:
First, here is a U. S. Forestry Services article on this plant.This article is a little difficult to read but we extracted this piece of information:
Next, read this article The Sensitive Plant by Dr. T. Umbrello, UCC Biology Department.
From that second article, especially note this paragraph:
"There are over 300 species of Mimosa that belong to the bean (pea) family Leguminosae. This species, Mimosa pudica, is native to Brazil but is naturalized throughout the tropics of the Americas, Africa, and Asia. It runs wild as a weed in the Gulf States."
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, home of Mr. Smarty Plants, is dedicated to the growth, propagation and protection of plants native not only to North America but to the area in whcih they are being grown; in your case, Rock County, on the southern border of Wisconsin. Since we have no information on this plant in our Native Plant Database, we really can't tell you if it would grow in Wisconsin. We have found no information that Mimosa pudica is toxic, but neither do we know if it is not.
So, we have to tell you that Mimosa pudica is not native to North America. It grows in North America, but is an invasive weed here. However, in our Native Plant Database, we do have Chamaecrista fasciculata (Partridge pea), which also has the common name of Sensitive Plant. This plant also has leaves that fold in when touched, if that was the feature you were interested in. You can follow that plant link to our webpage on it for more information. According to this USDA Plant Profile Map, it does grow natively in Rock County, WI.
From the Image Gallery
More Invasive Plants Questions
Removing St. Augustine from flower beds
January 25, 2009 - We just had new landscaping put in at our house. We had planting beds prepped and mulched and had Zoysia sod installed outside the beds. The yard before had small areas of St. Augustine growing and no...
view the full question and answer
Identification of lantanas safe for use in Florida
February 10, 2008 - Why do you list lantana camara as a native to the U.S. and as a native plant in Florida? It is a category one invasive exotic on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's list of invasive exotics. La...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification, Cuscuta sp., Dodder
August 18, 2009 - A neighbor of mine has a vine with no leaves that is attaching itself to her flowering plants. It is yellow in color, just larger than fishing line and has no leaves. It corkscrews itself around the p...
view the full question and answer
Invasive definition kalanchoe pinnata
June 05, 2006 - The plant Kalanchoe pinnata is listed as being invasive. What does that mean? Is it a weed or does it interefere with metropolitan plumbing? (root system)
view the full question and answer
Invasives species experiment from Fairfax VA
May 09, 2013 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I have some friends that need an experiment on Invasive Species fast. They are in 11th grade at Robinson secondary school. Are you able to help? Its due in June and they don'...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |