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