Mimosa microphylla Dryand.

Eastern Sensitive Brier; Little Leaf Mimosa

Vine

Perennial

Vascular

Eastern Sensitive Briar is a native herbaceous perennial in the Bean family (Fabaceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. Eastern Sensitive Briar grows in dry pine woods, in prairies, on roadside banks, and in sand hills. It is a perennial from a tap root. From one to ten stems up to four feet in length grow on the ground or sprawl over adjacent vegetation. Leaves are petiolate, alternate, bi-pinnatley compound with 6-16 pinnae and 20-32 leaflets. The stems, fruit, and leaves are armed with recurved prickles. Another common name for this plant is “Cat's claw”. Flowers are pink or lavender and are produced in heads resembling the flowers of the Mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin Durazz.). The yellow pollen at the tips of the stamens can be seen in recently opened flowers. The fruit is a prickly legume with eight to ten seed inside. Eastern Sensitive Briar is interesting because its leaves are able to rapidly respond to stimuli. The slightest touch will cause the leaflets to fold and “droop”, giving the plant a wilted appearance. This movement of the leaf is cause by the rapid movement of water in the cells of the leaf. Eastern Sensitive Briar may “wilt” when touched to make itself less attractive to herbivores. After a period of time if the plant is not disturbed the leaves will open again. Eastern Sensitive Briar's tropical looking blossoms and its sensitivity to touch make it an interesting addition to the garden. It prefers dry sites with abundant sunlight. Plants have a deep tap root which makes them able to withstand drought. This same taproot also makes them difficult to transplant. They are however easily grown from seed. The seed need to be scarified for best germination. They should be planted where you want them to grow in the garden in the fall.—A. Diamond

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Native

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