Family: Fabaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized in Puerto Rico
  
• An agricultural and environmental weed with similar traits to other invasive Mimosa species
  
• Other Mimosa species are invasive weeds
  
• Densely armed with recurved, broad-based thorns
  
• Climbing and smothering habit
  
• Forms dense ground monocultures
  
• N-fixing (may modify soil nutrients)
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• Reaches maturity 3-6 months after seeds germinate
  
• Seeds dispersed by humans and animals in mud or by adhering to fur, clothing, and vehicles
  
• May form a persistent seed bank

Low Risk Traits:

• Palatable to goats and sheep (despite thorns)
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control