bashfulplant

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• bashfulplant
• catclaw mimosa
• giant sensitive-plant
• giant sensitive-tree
• sensitive-plant
• thorny sensitive-plant
• Africa Sensitive Plant
• Giant Sensitive Plant

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is placed in the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Mimosa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Mimosa pigra, exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several African regions. In Northern Africa, its presence is specifically noted in Egypt. Moving into West Tropical Africa, it can be found spreading through the country of Benin. The species also inhabits the landscapes of Burkina and the Gambia. Finally, its range extends further along the coast to include Ghana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Mimosa pigra is characterized by its strong preference for riparian and wetland environments, typically colonizing alluvial flats, areas along rivers, lakes, and dams. It thrives in these moisture-rich zones, often establishing itself in disturbed or seasonally flooded habitats. In terms of vertical distribution, the species occupies a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 1600 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

alluvial flats, along rivers, lakes and dams

Life history

The life history of Mimosa pigra is characterized by its status as a perennial species, exhibiting a variable growth strategy that allows it to persist across different seasonal cycles. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural trait that defines its life form. This phanerophytic nature, categorized specifically within the phanerophyte life form classifications, enables the plant to establish robust, woody structures that support its long-term survival and competitive dominance in its natural habitat.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Mimosa pigra is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub. It is a self-supporting plant, rather than a climber or vine, and functions as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. In terms of its ecological habit, it is classified as terrestrial, rather than aquatic or epiphytic. The plant exhibits significant variation in stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 5 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 2.75 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height mean:

2.75 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Mimosa pigra is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and water-use efficiency within various environmental gradients. A significant physiological feature of this species is its ability to function as a nitrogen fixer, as it engages in a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria located within its root nodules. This biological nitrogen fixation allows the plant to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, providing a competitive advantage in nutrient-poor soils and supporting its rapid growth and high biomass production.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in this species is characterized by a highly flexible fruiting period that can occur throughout the entire year, with specific cycles often centered around March. The seeds produced are notably small, exhibiting a minimum mass of 0.01 g, a mean mass of approximately 0.0162025 g, and a maximum mass of 0.01962 g. Regarding the dispersal mechanism, the plant primarily utilizes an autochorous syndrome, meaning it employs self-dispersal methods to spread its progeny.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Fruiting time :

Mar

Seed mass max:

0.01962 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0162025 g

Seed mass min:

0.01 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Mimosa pigra has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include AA, E-Cinnamic Acid, Machaerinic acid, Sec, TFC.

AA

1. GSC biological and pharmaceutical sciences

E-Cinnamic Acid

1. Journal of natural products

Machaerinic acid

1. Journal of natural products

Sec

1. GSC biological and pharmaceutical sciences

TFC

1. GSC biological and pharmaceutical sciences

TPC

1. GSC biological and pharmaceutical sciences