Mimosa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mimosa |
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| Mimosa pudica flower heads | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Clade: | Mimosoideae |
| Genus: | Mimosa L. (1753) |
| Type species | |
| Mimosa pudica |
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| Species | |
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About 600 species |
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| Synonyms | |
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The Mimosa is a group of about 600 types of plants. These include small plants and shrubs. They belong to the legume family, also known as Fabaceae. You can find Mimosa plants in the Americas, from North Dakota down to Argentina. They also grow in parts of eastern Africa, like Tanzania and Madagascar. Some are found in India and Southeast Asia.
The name 'Mimosa' comes from a Greek word. It means 'actor' or 'mime'. This is because their leaves seem to 'act' alive. They move as if they are thinking!
Two Mimosa plants are very famous. One is Mimosa pudica, often called the touch-me-not plant. Its leaves quickly fold up when you touch them. They also close when it gets hot. This plant comes from Central and South America. People grow it all over the world because it's so interesting. Sometimes, it can spread too much and become a weed, like in Hawaii. Another well-known species is Mimosa tenuiflora. This plant is valued for its traditional uses in some cultures.
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How Scientists Classify Mimosa
Scientists study plants to put them into groups. This is called classification. The Mimosa group has many different plants. Over time, scientists have given them more than 3,000 names! Sometimes, they realize two names are for the same plant. Or they move a plant to a different group.
Because of this, the name 'Mimosa' was sometimes used for other plants. These plants looked similar with their feathery leaves. But now, we know they belong to different groups. For example, the Persian silk tree (Albizia julibrissin) and wattle (Acacia dealbata) are not true Mimosas.
Amazing Mimosa Movements
Mimosa plants are special because they can move quickly! Not many plants can do this. Other fast-moving plants include the Venus flytrap. The leaves of Mimosa pudica snap shut very fast when you touch them. It's like they are shy!
Some Mimosa plants also have a daily rhythm. They lift their leaves during the day. Then, they lower them at night, almost like sleeping. A scientist named Jean-Jacques d'Ortous de Mairan studied this in 1729. His work showed that plants have their own internal clocks. We call these biological clocks.
How to Spot a True Mimosa
It can be tricky to tell Mimosa plants apart from similar ones. Two related groups are Acacia and Albizia. But there's a secret! Mimosa flowers have ten or fewer stamens. Stamens are the tiny parts inside a flower that make pollen. Also, what looks like one fluffy ball flower is actually many tiny flowers grouped together.
Exploring Different Mimosa Species
There are about 590 different kinds of Mimosa plants. Each one is unique! You can learn more about all of them on the List of Mimosa species page.
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Mimosa (planta) para niños
