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Flaigg, Lillian G.

Mimosa borealis

Mimosa borealis A. Gray

Fragrant Mimosa, Pink Mimosa

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: MIBO2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

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

51 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Bipinnate
Fruit Type: Legume
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall.

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

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
NPSOT - Native Plant Society of Texas - Fredericksburg, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
Jacob's Well Natural Area - Wimberley, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0210 Collected Apr. 16, 1992 in Comal County by Mary Beth White
NPSOT 1066 Collected Apr 20, 1996 in Bexar County by Mike Fox
NPSOT 0506 Collected Apr. 11, 1992 in Kendall County by Lottie Millsaps

3 specimen(s) available in the Digital Herbarium

Bibliography

Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Research Literature

Reslit 2886 - Legumes of the United States. IV. Mimosa (1971) Duane Isely

This information was provided by the Florida WIldflower Foundation.
Search More Titles in Research Literature

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: 2018-12-08
Research By: TWC Staff, MAC

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