Albizia julibrissin

Mimosa is a woody, deciduous, highly flammable tree or shrub in the legume family (Fabaceae). It is native to southern Asia, from Iran to Japan. It was introduced in the United States in 1745 and cultivated as an ornamental tree for its fragrant and showy pink flowers that bloom in summer. However, it escaped cultivation and is now invasive in North Carolina and other parts of the southeastern United States. The specific epithet, julibrissin, is an Anglicized version of Persian words meaning "silk flower."

Mimosa is aggressive, high-maintenance and short-lived. Its average life span is 30 years. It grows 20 to 40 feet tall and 20 to 50 feet wide, is multi-stemmed and has a broad crown. The limbs of the tree are weak and may be damaged by strong winds, snow or ice. It reproduces by seed (five to 16 per flower) or root cuttings. The seeds are easily dispersed by the wind, water or animals and they contain a neurotoxin that when ingested can be toxic to livestock and dogs. It can tolerate a variety of light, soil and moisture conditions, which contributes to its weedy and competitive nature. When planted near homes, it requires significant clean-up from shedding of its leaves, blooms and seed pods. It will resprout when cut back or damaged.

The leaves are fern-like in appearance and are very sensitive; the leaflets will close when touched and at nighttime. 

Mimosa is typically found along roadsides, grasslands, vacant lots, clearings or flood plain areas. It can grow in dense stands, which reduce sunlight and nutrients that native plant species growing nearby may require. It is not recommended for landscapes. However, if you must grow this species, please consider the cultivars ‘Merlot Majik’ or ‘Summer Chocolate’ as they are sterile and do not reseed as rampantly.   

Diseases, Insects and Other Plant Problems: It is susceptible to mimosa webworms, mites, shot hole borer, Armillaria fungus, root rot and cottony cushion scale. Fusarium wilt is a common and lethal disease of mimosa. The tree is listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council. 

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.