Mimosa scabrella

Mimosa scabrella, commonly known as the "sensitive shrub," is a resilient medicinal plant native to various tropical regions. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, it is frequently utilized in traditional medicine to treat inflammation, skin ailments, and digestive issues, offering a natural approach to holistic healing and wellness.

  • Scientific name: Mimosa scabrella
  • Family: Fabaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, falling into the family Fabaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Mimosa, specifically as the species Mimosa scabrella.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Fabales WCVP
Family Fabaceae WCVP
Genus Mimosa WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Mimosa scabrella, is referred to by various names depending on the linguistic context. In Portuguese, it is commonly called Bracatinga, while in Persian, its name is written as میمسا اسکابرلا.
Language Common Name Source
pt Bracatinga Wikidata
fa میمسا اسکابرلا Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide and diverse geographical distribution spanning multiple continents. In East Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in both Tanzania and Uganda. Moving toward the southern regions, it can also be found throughout South Tropical Africa, specifically in Angola and Zimbabwe. Furthermore, the species extends into the Papuasia region, where it is located in New Guinea. This varied range highlights the plant's ability to inhabit distinct ecological zones across the globe.

Region Area Source
East Tropical Africa Tanzania WCVP
East Tropical Africa Uganda WCVP
South Tropical Africa Angola WCVP
South Tropical Africa Zimbabwe WCVP
Papuasia New Guinea WCVP
Central America Honduras WCVP
Caribbean Jamaica WCVP
Northern South America Venezuela WCVP
Western South America Colombia WCVP
Brazil Brazil Southeast WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Mimosa scabrella, utilizes various structures for survival, but its seeds are particularly significant in the context of its botanical life cycle. These seeds are contained within characteristic pods and serve as the primary mechanism for reproduction and dispersal. In many medicinal studies involving the Mimosa genus, the chemical properties and therapeutic potential are often concentrated within specific components, making the study of the seeds essential for understanding the plant's full pharmacological profile.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
seeds 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Mimosa scabrella has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include galactomannan.

Total chemicals
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
galactomannan 1 ★☆☆☆☆