Mimosa diplotricha C.Wright ex Sauvalle
-
Authority
Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro. 2005. Vines and climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 51: 1-483.
-
Family
Mimosaceae
-
Scientific Name
-
Description
Description - Scandent shrub, much branched from the base that supports itself on other plants by means of spines that are borne along the length of its stem and leaf axes, attaining 1.5-2 m in length. Stems pentagonal, pilose, with numerous recurved spines along the angles. Leaves alternate, 5-13 cm long, bipinnate; pinnae 6 or 7, pairs opposite; leaflets opposite, 18-15 pairs per pinna, 2.5-4.2 mm long, oblong, chartaceous, the apex obtuse, the base asymmetrically obtuse-truncate; both surfaces strigulose; lower surface pale green, dull, with the midvein sunken; rachis very slender, pilose, with some recurved spines; stipules subulate, ca. 4.5 mm long; stipels linear, ca. 1.5 mm long. Heads 7-10 mm in diameter, axillary; peduncles with numerous recurved spines, 6-15 mm long. Calyx ca. 0.2 mm long, glabrous; corolla pink, infundihuliform, ca. 1.2 mm long, with 4(5) lobes; filaments pink, 3-5 mm long. Legumes usually 10 or more per head, oblong or linear, flattened, straight or slightly curved, 10-24 x 3-4.3 mm, chartaceous, covered with spines, especially along the margin. Seeds 3-8, 2.3-3 mm long, flattened, ovate or rhombic, dark brown.
Phenology - Collected in flower in December.
Conservation Status - Exotic, adventive, of recent introduction, uncommon.