Giant sensitive plant
Mimosa diplotricha var. diplotricha
family
Fabaceae
origin
non native
declaration
Category 3 Restricted Matter (Biosecurity Act 2014)
Must not be distributed or disposed. This means it must not be released into the environment unless the distribution or disposal is authorised in a regulation or under a permit.
Common names
Creeping sensitive plant, Giant sensitive plant, Nila grass, Tropical blackberry.
Mimosa diplotricha grows as an erect shrub or a scrambling climber, reaching a height of around 3 m. Its leaves are bipinnate and bright green with a feathery appearance. They are arranged alternately along the stems. Each leaf contains around twenty pairs of small sessile lanceolate leaflets arranged opposite each other. Each leaflet measures around 6 to 12 mm long and 1.5 mm wide. Like the related Mimosa pudica, the leaves are sensitive to touch, and will curl up if disturbed.
Impact
Impact
Mimosa diplotricha is fast-growing and can tolerate a wide range of soil and climate conditions. It has the ability to climb over and smother other plants and can shade out light-demanding species, preventing the natural regeneration of other plants, and it constitutes a wildland fire hazard when dry Left alone, they can form impenetrable thickets within a short period that can affect movement of both people and animals, as well as planted crops. All parts of the plant are toxic to grazing animals
Location
Location
Characteristics
Characteristics
Similar Species
Similar Species
Mimosa diplotricha is fast-growing and can tolerate a wide range of soil and climate conditions. It has the ability to climb over and smother other plants and can shade out light-demanding species, preventing the natural regeneration of other plants, and it constitutes a wildland fire hazard when dry Left alone, they can form impenetrable thickets within a short period that can affect movement of both people and animals, as well as planted crops. All parts of the plant are toxic to grazing animals
