Mimosa pigra
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Mimosa pigra Common Names: Catclaw Mimosa, Giant Sensitive Tree,
Black Mimosa Scientific
Classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Clade: Rosids Order: Fabales Family: Fabaceae Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae Clade: Mimosoid Clade Genus: Mimosa Species: M. pigra Authority: L. Synonyms: Mimosa asperata L., Acacia pigra (L.) Willd., Mimosa hispida Willd. Morphological Description Mimosa pigra is
a leguminous, perennial shrub or small tree in the Fabaceae family, growing up
to 6 m tall: · Stem: Greenish when young, becoming woody with age; armed with
broad-based prickles up to 7 mm long (Fern, 2024). · Leaves: Bright green, bipinnate, 20–25 cm long; central rachis
prickly, bearing 6–16 pairs of pinnae, each 5 cm long, with 20–30 pairs of
leaflets 3–8 mm long; sensitive, folding upon touch or at night (Lonsdale et
al., 1995). · Flowers: Mauve to pink, in dense, subglobose, pedunculate heads 1–1.5
cm in diameter; each head with ~100 flowers, blooming year-round in wet
conditions (Orwa et al., 2009). · Fruits: Clustered pods, 10–20 per flower head, 6–8 cm long, breaking
into 1-seeded segments; hairy, aiding dispersal by water or adhesion; seeds
oblong, 4–6 mm long, light brown to olive green (Fern, 2024). Distribution and Habitat Mimosa pigra is
native to the Neotropics but has become a pantropical invasive species: · Range: Native to Mexico, Central America, northern Argentina;
invasive in Africa (e.g., Nigeria, Zambia), Southeast Asia (e.g., Thailand,
Cambodia), Australia, Pacific Islands. · Habitat: Thrives in wet tropics; common in floodplains, riverbanks,
swamps, and disturbed areas; tolerates black clays, sandy clays, and siliceous
sands; altitude 0–1,200 m (Lonsdale et al., 1995). Ethnopharmacology Mimosa pigra
commonly known as the giant sensitive plant, is a medicinal plant with various
therapeutic properties. It has been traditionally used in different cultures
for treating ailments due to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant,
analgesic, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and wound-healing properties. The
plant contains bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and
saponins, which contribute to its medicinal effects. Extracts from its leaves,
roots, and seeds are used for treating infections, diarrhea, skin diseases, and
inflammatory conditions. Additionally, Mimosa
pigra has shown potential for managing diabetes, protecting the liver, and
promoting wound healing. However, caution is advised as excessive use may have
toxic effects. · Anti-inflammatory: Leaf extracts in Brazil for swelling. · Antimicrobial: Stem infusions in Nigeria for infections; methanol extract
inhibited Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 0.25 mg/mL) (Majeed et al., 2021). · Wound Healing: Leaf poultices in Central America. · Sedative: Root decoctions in Mexico for anxiety. ⚠ Toxicity and Ecological
Impact: High doses (>200
mg/kg) of leaf extract caused hepatotoxicity in rats (ALT up 25%) (Silva et
al., 2016). As an invasive species, it forms dense thickets, displacing native
flora and altering ecosystems (Lonsdale et al., 1995). Additional Uses · Fuelwood: Woody stems used for firewood in rural tropics (Orwa et al.,
2009). · Forage: Young leaves grazed by livestock, though prickles limit use
(Fern, 2024). · Cultural: Seeds used in traditional crafts in Central America
(Burkill, 1995). References
External Links More Pictures
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| Compounds of Mimosa pigra | |
| References | Murtala Muhammad, Etal. (2023). Phytochemical analysis of Nigerian medicinal plants. NMPP-DB
Project, Department of Biochemistry, Kano University of Science and Technology,
Wudil |