Family: Fabaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, commonly known as sabia, is a fast-growing thorny tree native to Brazil. It is valued for its dense wood, rapid growth, and ability to thrive in poor or dry soils. The tree typically reaches moderate heights and produces feathery, finely divided leaves along with clusters of small pale flowers that attract pollinators. Sabia is widely used in agroforestry, erosion control, fencing, fuelwood production, charcoal, and as a shade tree for livestock and crops. Because it is drought tolerant and nitrogen-fixing, it is sometimes planted to improve soil fertility and rehabilitate degraded lands.

Risks & Threats
Although Mimosa caesalpiniifolia is currently not known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, it possesses traits that are cause for concern. Its rapid growth, ability to reproduce readily, tolerance of harsh environmental conditions, and dense thorny growth habit could allow it to spread aggressively in tropical environments. Like other invasive woody legumes, it may form dense stands that outcompete native vegetation, alter ecosystem structure, and interfere with access for people and wildlife. The species’ nitrogen-fixing ability may also change soil conditions in ways that favor additional invasive species. Because of these risks, Mimosa caesalpiniifolia could detrimentally impact tropical island ecosystems if introduced more widely. When possible, choosing a low risk or native alternative is recommended.

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized in Africa and Brazil (outside natural range)
  
• Possibly having detrimental environmental impacts in Brazil where naturalized outside native range
  
• Other Mimosa species are invasive weeds
  
• Spiny
  
• Seedlings are Shade-tolerant
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• N-fixing (may alter soil chemistry)
  
• Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by root suckering
  
• Reaches maturity in 2 years (rapid growth rate)
  
• Seeds dispersed by gravity and intentionally by people
  
• Seeds may persist for more than one year
  
• Able to coppice and resprout after cutting

Low Risk Traits:

• Provides fodder for livestock
  
• Useful as a timber plant