by Bob Harms
Mimosas Native to NW Hays County in Central Texas
NW Hays County has three native mimosas. Two are woody bushes, M. borealis – pink or
fragrant mimosa – and M. texana (= M. biuncifera var
lindheimeri sensu B. Turner) – catclaw mimosa; the third is a prostrate herbaceous creeping perennial, M. roemeriana – sensitive briar .
M. borealis is rather widespread in our immediate vicinity, but
M. texana, represented by some 5 natively occurring clumps on
our land, has been found only some two miles down the road from us,
although well represented in that area. I have grown both bush forms
from seed (with some scarification).
Mimosa borealis
Mimosa texana
In this area M. borealis blooms much more profusely and earlier. M. texana
blooms later and is more likely to bloom after summer rainy spells,
perhaps a reflection of its more southwestern character.
How to distinguish our native mimosas.
M. aculeaticarpa, Catclaw mimosa
Plant Resource Center Home Page — Flora of Texas
— Hays Flora
