Mimosa diplotricha

Last updated

Giant sensitive plant
Giant false sensitive plant (Mimosa diplotricha) from Mindanao, Philippines 1.jpg
Dense Mimosa diplotricha thicket in Bukidnon, Philippines
aanttottttaavaatti pungkulyuN mottttuN.JPG
Mimosa diplotricha inflorescence and thorns
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Clade: Mimosoid clade
Genus: Mimosa
Species:
M. diplotricha
Binomial name
Mimosa diplotricha

Mimosa diplotricha is a species of leguminous woody shrub native to the Neotropics. It is an invasive species and now has a pantropical distribution. [1] [2] It is commonly known as the giant sensitive plant, giant false sensitive plant, or nila grass. [3]

Contents

Taxonomy

Mimosa diplotricha is classified under the genus Mimosa in the subfamily Mimosoideae of the legume family, Fabaceae. It was first described by the American botanist Charles Wright in 1869. The specific epithet is derived from Ancient Greek διπλόος (diplóos, "double") and θρίξ (thríx, "hair"). [4] [5]

Mimosa diplotricha was also described earlier by the German botanist Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius as Mimosa invisa in 1837. But he had already given the name Mimosa invisa in 1834 to a different species. The name he gave is therefore a heterotypic posterior homonym and thus nomen illegitimum. Wright's name becomes the earliest correct name for the species, while the name Mimosa invisa is now accepted as the correct name for Mimosa rhodostachya. However the name Mimosa invisa is still used incorrectly by some authors for Mimosa diplotricha. [6] [7]

Mimosa diplotricha includes three varieties: [8]

Common names

Mimosa diplotricha is known as the giant sensitive plant, giant false sensitive plant, or nila grass in English. [10]

In the Americas, it is known dormilona de playa, rabo de iguana; and raspancilla in Spanish; and grande sensitive or sensitive géante in French. It is also known as sensitiva trepadora in Cuba; and analeira, dormideira, juquiri-rasteiro, malicia-de-mulher, or sensitiva in Brazil. [7]

In South Asia and Indochina it is known as anthottawadi or padaincha in India; banla saet in Cambodia; cõ trinh nu móc in Vietnam; and maiyaraap thao in Thailand. In Southeast Asia it is known as duri semalu in Malaysia; makahiyang lalaki, bulunsari, or balansuri in the Philippines; boring, borang, djoekoet borang, or puteri malu in Nusa Tenggara; pis koetjing in Indonesia; and rèmbètè in Java.

In Oceania it is known as nila grass in Papua New Guinea; co gadrogadro, wa ngandrongandro ni wa ngalelevu, or wa ngandrongandro levu in Fiji; vao fefe palagi or la'au fefe palagi in Samoa and the American Samoa; singbiguin sasa in Saipan; mechiuaiuu in Palau; and pikika'a papa'a in the Cook Islands. [3] [10]

Description

Mimosa diplotricha leaves that have curled up after being touched Giant sensitive plant after touching.jpg
Mimosa diplotricha leaves that have curled up after being touched

Mimosa diplotricha grows as an erect shrub or a scrambling climber, reaching a height of around 3 m (9.8 ft). Its leaves are bipinnate and bright green with a feathery appearance. They are arranged alternately along the stems. Each leaf contains around twenty pairs of small sessile lanceolate leaflets arranged opposite each other. Each leaflet measures around 6 to 12 mm (0.24 to 0.47 in) long and 1.5 mm (0.059 in) wide. Like the related Mimosa pudica , the leaves are sensitive to touch, and will curl up if disturbed. [10]

The stems are characteristically very long. They are squarish in cross-section, with four ridges running lengthwise. A dense row of very sharp recurved thorns run along the ridges, each around 3 to 6 mm (0.12 to 0.24 in) long. The flowers are pale pink and looks like a clustered fluffy ball. They are around 12 mm (0.47 in) in diameter and arise from short stalks from the leaf joints. The corolla is fused (gamopetalous), and there are two stamens for every petal. [10]

The flowers develop into clustered slightly curved seed pods. Each seed pod is more or less flat and covered with small prickles. They are around 10 to 35 mm (0.39 to 1.38 in) long and 6 mm (0.24 in) wide. The seeds are oval-shaped and flat, each around 2 to 2.5 mm (0.079 to 0.098 in) long and 0.6 to 1.4 mm (0.024 to 0.055 in) thick. They are light brown and polished in appearance. They are dispersed through running water or by sticking to fur or clothing. They can remain dormant for up to 50 years. [10]

Distribution

Mimosa diplotricha is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South America and Central America, including parts of the Caribbean. It is not known, however, if the species is native to North America. [7]

Invasive species

Mimosa diplotricha is fast-growing and can tolerate a wide range of soil and climate conditions. Left alone, they can form impenetrable thickets within a short period that can affect movement of both people and animals, as well as planted crops. All parts of the plant are toxic to grazing animals. [10]

Mimosa diplotricha is extremely invasive and rapidly colonizes areas it is introduced to. [7] The earliest records of Mimosa diplotricha outside of the Americas is in Java, Indonesia in 1900; Queensland, Australia in 1929; and Fiji in 1936. Since then, it has rapidly spread and naturalized throughout Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands (including Hawaii), northern regions of Australia, and parts of Africa in the latter half of the 20th century. [7]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Mimosa</i> Genus of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae

Mimosa is a genus of about 590 species of herbs and shrubs, in the mimosoid clade of the legume family Fabaceae. The generic name is derived from the Greek word μῖμος (mimos), an "actor" or "mime", and the feminine suffix -osa, "resembling", suggesting its 'sensitive leaves' which seem to 'mimic conscious life'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rapid plant movement</span>

Rapid plant movement encompasses movement in plant structures occurring over a very short period, usually under one second. For example, the Venus flytrap closes its trap in about 100 milliseconds. The traps of Utricularia are much faster, closing in about 0.5 milliseconds. The dogwood bunchberry's flower opens its petals and fires pollen in less than 0.5 milliseconds. The record is currently held by the white mulberry tree, with flower movement taking 25 microseconds, as pollen is catapulted from the stamens at velocities in excess of half the speed of sound—near the theoretical physical limits for movements in plants.

<i>Mimosa tenuiflora</i> Species of plant

Mimosa tenuiflora, syn. Mimosa hostilis, also known as jurema preta, calumbi (Brazil), tepezcohuite (México), carbonal, cabrera, jurema, black jurema, and binho de jurema, is a perennial tree or shrub native to the northeastern region of Brazil and found as far north as southern Mexico, and the following countries: El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Colombia and Venezuela. It is most often found in lower altitudes, but it can be found as high as 1,000 m (3,300 ft).

<i>Mimosa pudica</i> Species of plant whose leaves fold inward and droop when touched or shaken

Mimosa pudica is a creeping annual or perennial flowering plant of the pea/legume family Fabaceae. It is often grown for its curiosity value: the sensitive compound leaves fold inward and droop when touched or shaken and re-open a few minutes later. Mimosa pudica is not a carnivorous plant. In the UK it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

<i>Mimosa nuttallii</i> Species of plant

Mimosa nuttallii, the Nuttall's sensitive-briar, catclaw brier, or sensitive brier, is an herbaceous perennial legume in the subfamily Mimosoideae native to the central United States. It has a trailing semi-woody vine covered with small recurved prickles that can be painful to bare skin.

<i>Albizia julibrissin</i> Species of plant

Albizia julibrissin, the Persian silk tree, pink silk tree, or mimosa tree, is a species of tree in the family Fabaceae, native to southwestern Asia and eastern Asia.

<i>Mucuna pruriens</i> Species of flowering plant

Mucuna pruriens is a tropical legume native to Africa and tropical Asia and widely naturalized and cultivated. Its English common names include monkey tamarind, velvet bean, Bengal velvet bean, Florida velvet bean, Mauritius velvet bean, Yokohama velvet bean, cowage, cowitch, lacuna bean, and Lyon bean.

<i>Mimosa pigra</i> Species of plant

Mimosa pigra, commonly known as the giant sensitive tree, is a species of plant of the genus Mimosa, in the family Fabaceae.

<i>Acacia dealbata</i> Species of flowering plant

Acacia dealbata, the silver wattle, blue wattle or mimosa, is a species of flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae, native to southeastern Australia in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory, and widely introduced in Mediterranean, warm temperate, and highland tropical landscapes.

<i>Acacia decurrens</i> Species of legume

Acacia decurrens, commonly known as black wattle or early green wattle, is a perennial tree or shrub native to eastern New South Wales, including Sydney, the Greater Blue Mountains Area, the Hunter Region, and south west to the Australian Capital Territory. It grows to a height of 2–15 m (7–50 ft) and it flowers from July to September.

<i>Albizia lebbeck</i> Species of legume

Albizia lebbeck is a species of plant in the family Fabaceae, native to the Indian subcontinent and Myanmar. It is widely cultivated and naturalised in other tropical and subtropical regions, including Australia. Common names in English include siris, Indian siris, East Indian walnut, Broome raintree, lebbeck, lebbek tree, frywood, koko and woman's tongue tree. The latter name is a play on the sound the seeds make as they rattle inside the pods. Siris is also a common name of the genus Albizia.

Mimosa invisa is a species of leguminous woody shrub or vine native to South America. Mimosa invisa includes two subspecies, each with two varieties: The species is considered to be noxious and invasive in much of the United States.

<i>Mimosa somnians</i> Species of plant

Mimosa somnians, commonly known as dormideira, is a species of woody shrub in the genus Mimosa and the family Fabaceae. It is native to the Caribbean, Central America and South America. It is a short, low-lying shrub with minuscule thorns lining its stem-like hairs.

<i>Astragalus lentiginosus</i> Species of plant

Astragalus lentiginosus is a species of legume native to western North America where it grows in a range of habitats. Common names include spotted locoweed and freckled milkvetch. There are a great number of wild varieties. The flower and the fruit of an individual plant are generally needed to identify the specific variety.

<i>Entada gigas</i> Species of legume

Entada gigas, commonly known as the monkey-ladder, sea bean, cœur de la mer or sea heart, is a species of flowering liana in the pea family, Fabaceae of the Mimosa subfamily, which is often raised to family rank (Mimosaceae). They are native to Central America, the Caribbean, northern South America, and Africa. It is notable for having the family's largest seedpods, which measure 12 cm (4.7 in) across and can reach 2 m (6.6 ft) in length. There have been reports of pods up to eight feet in length. This pod, like all legumes, is a single carpel, the largest carpel of any known plant. Inside the pods are ten to fifteen seeds, each of which have a diameter of 6 cm (2.4 in) and a thickness of 2 cm (0.79 in). The seeds contain a hollow cavity, which gives them buoyancy. After being washed by rain into rivers and then the ocean, the seeds of E. gigas drift long distances on ocean currents. Seed buoyancy and vitality lasts at least two years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mimosa in Australia</span>

In Australia, Mimosa pigra has been declared a noxious weed or given similar status under various weed or quarantine Acts. It has been ranked as the tenth most problematic weed and is listed on the Weeds of National Significance. It is currently restricted to the Northern Territory where it infests approximately 80,000 hectares of coastal floodplain.

<i>Acacia littorea</i> Species of legume

Acacia littorea, also known as the shark tooth wattle, is a shrub belonging to the genus Acacia and the subgenus Phyllodineae.

<i>Enterolobium schomburgkii</i> Species of legume

Enterolobium schomburgkii is a species of flowering tree in the family Fabaceae.

<i>Senna pendula</i> Species of legume

Senna pendula, also known as Easter Cassia, Christmas Senna, winter Senna, climbing Cassia, golden shower, pendant Senna and valamuerto, is a plant of the Fabaceae family with a shrub habit that is native to South America. It used in various parts of the world as an ornamental plant and is an environmental weed in Australia. The flowers are yellow and the name pendula means 'pendulous' or 'drooping'.

<i>Ebenopsis confinis</i> Leguminous species of plant from Mexico

Ebenopsis confinis is a species of drought deciduous perennial shrubs in the Legume family known commonly as dog poop bush. The English vernacular name is a result of the distinctive woody fruits which resemble dog poop. The plant is referred to locally as palo fierro. In addition to the fruits, this species is characterized by its small, equally-paired pinnate leaves and a condensed capitulum. This species is distributed from southern Baja California to the cape of Baja California Sur, and on the coast of Sonora.

References

  1. ↑ Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) (2007) PIER species lists, retrieved 4/30/2007 Mimosa diplotricha
  2. ↑ "Mimosa diplotricha C.Wright". Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  3. 1 2 Global Invasive Species Database. "Mimosa diplotricha". International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  4. ↑ Francisco A. Sauvalle (1869). Antionio Mestre; Marcos de J. Melero (eds.). Flora Cubana. Revisio Catalogi Grisebachiani vel Index Plantarum Cubensium. Anales de la Academia de Ciencias Médicas, Físicas y Naturales de la Habana. Vol. 5. "La Antilla" de Cacho-Negrete. pp. 405–406.
  5. ↑ Tropicos (16 November 2016). "Mimosa diplotricha C. Wright ex Sauvalle". Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  6. ↑ Rupert C. Barneby (1987). "A note on Mimosa invisa C. Martius ex Colla and M. Invisa C. Martius (Mimosaceae)". Brittonia. 39 (1): 49–50. doi:10.2307/2806973. JSTOR   2806973.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 "Mimosa diplotricha (giant sensitive plant)". Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  8. ↑ Rupert C. Barneby (1991). "Sensitivae censitae: a description of the genus Mimosa Linnaeus (Mimosaceae) in the New World" (PDF). Memoirs of the New York Botanical Garden. 65: 1–835.
  9. ↑ Edwin A. Balbarino; David M. Bates & Zosimo M. de la Rosa (2010). "Improved Fallows using a Spiny Legume, Mimosa invisa Martius ex Colla, in Western Leyte, Philippines". In Malcolm Cairns (ed.). Voices from the Forest: Integrating Indigenous Knowledge into Sustainable Upland Farming. Routledge. ISBN   9781136522277.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network. Mimosa diplotricha (PDF). Invasive Pest Fact Sheet. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.