Sunshine Mimosa
(Mimosa strigillosa)
Sunshine Mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa)
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Blake Bringhurst
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Blake Bringhurst
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Blake Bringhurst | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Blake Bringhurst | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2017-07-16T16:21:28Z |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Mimosa strigillosa, commonly known as Sunshine Mimosa or Powderpuff, is a herbaceous perennial ground cover native to the Southeastern United States, extending into Central and South America. It thrives in open woodlands and grassy areas, often establishing itself in disturbed sites. Sunshine Mimosa typically forms a dense mat of creeping stems, with bipinnate leaves that close when touched. The plant is adorned with small, spherical, pink flowers resembling powder puffs, which bloom from late spring to early fall and attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Sunshine Mimosa is valued for its low maintenance, drought tolerance, and ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, reducing the need for fertilizers. Its mat-forming nature makes it an excellent choice for xeriscaping, erosion control, and as an eco-friendly turfgrass alternative. It can withstand moderate foot traffic and mowing, making it suitable for lawns, pathways, and as a filler between stepping stones. While it prefers full sun to part shade and medium to high water, it is adaptable to various soil types with medium drainage. Gardeners should note that it can spread rapidly, covering a significant area in a single season.CC BY-SA 4.0
Sunshine Mimosa is valued for its low maintenance, drought tolerance, and ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, reducing the need for fertilizers. Its mat-forming nature makes it an excellent choice for xeriscaping, erosion control, and as an eco-friendly turfgrass alternative. It can withstand moderate foot traffic and mowing, making it suitable for lawns, pathways, and as a filler between stepping stones. While it prefers full sun to part shade and medium to high water, it is adaptable to various soil types with medium drainage. Gardeners should note that it can spread rapidly, covering a significant area in a single season.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 0.3-0.5 feet
- Width: 0.8-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: Pink
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium, High
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Open woodlands and grassy areas, often establishing itself in disturbed sites
Other Names
Common Names: Sunshine Mimosa , Herbaceous Mimosa
Scientific Names: Mimosa strigillosa , Mimosa sabulicola , Mimosa dolichocephala , Mimosa dolichocephala var. sabulicola
GBIF Accepted Name: Mimosa strigillosa Torr. & A.Gray