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Powderpuff

Mimosa strigillosa

Other common name(s):

Sensitive Plant, Sunshine Mimosa

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands
Coastal Sand Plain, Floodplains and Low Terraces4, Laguna Madre Barrier Island and Coastal Marshes, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Mid-Coast Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Southern Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Groundcover

Height

0.75
to
1
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Semi Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Pink

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Larval Host, Flowers

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Bees

Maintenance

Once established, it is very drought tolerant. A good perennial ground cover. The plant is also recommended as a turfgrass replacement because of its ability to withstand some foot traffic and mowing. Propagation: Root Cuttings, Stem Cuttings, Seed.

Comments

Blooms March-August. Flowers attractive, pink, puffy, ball-like. Like related species in the genus Mimosa, sunshine mimosa has sensitive leaves that can fold in a matter of seconds after being disturbed. Larval host: Little Sulphur (Eurema lisa) butterfly.

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MIST2. 3) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=11453&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 4) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=26791#null, 5) Norcini and Aldrich. “Native Wildflowers: Mimosa strigillosa”. University of Florida The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. 6) https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/165400-Mimosa-strigillosa. 7) https://garden.org/plants/view/83360/Powderpuff-Mimosa-strigillosa/

Get in Touch

Contact the State

Contact a local Chapter

State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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