Texas Wildbuds
Mimosa microphylla
(Little-leaf Sensitive Briar)
Mimosa microphylla, Bastrop State Park, Bastrop 5749
Mimosa microphylla, Bastrop State Park, Bastrop 5741
Mimosa microphylla, Bastrop State Park, Bastrop 5744
Mimosa microphylla, Bastrop State Park, Bastrop 5742
| Scientific Name | Mimosa microphylla (Schrankia uncinata) | USDA PLANTS Symbol | MIMI22 |
| Common Name | Little-leaf Sensitive-briar | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 507831 |
| Family | Fabaceae (Pea) | SEINet Reference |
Click Here |
| Description | Habitat: Dry to somewhat mesic, sandy soils in openings in pine and oak woodlands, floodplains and roadsides. Plant: Trailing, prostrate, branched perennial, with hairless, ribbed stems 3 to 4 feet long with recurved (bent-back) prickles. Leaves: Bi-pinnately compound on prickly stalks (rachis) 2-3/8 to 3-3/8 inches long, with 3 to 8 pairs of primary leaflets, each about 1-inch long, divided into 10 to 17 pairs of small elliptic secondary leaflets each 0.1 to 0.2-inch long that fold up when disturbed; tips are mucronate; lower leaflet surface smooth or with only the midvein prominent. Inflorescence: Dense pink, ball-shaped inflorescence 0.4 to 0.7-inch in diameter with many very small individual flowers each with 5 petals and 10 protruding stamens with pink filaments and yellow anthers; on prickly peduncles (stalks) 1 to 4 inches long. Bloom Period: April to August. Fruit: Mature fruit is straight, 3-1/5 to 5-1/5 inches long, tetragonal in crossection, unarmed or prickly. References: Flora of North America and Vascular Plants of North Carolina; Schrankia uncinata in "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston. Notes: I am pretty sure of the identification of the plant, even though according to BONAP it does not occur in Texas; however both iNaturalist and Wildflower Search have it here. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2026
Every attempt is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and relevant information, but the completeness or accuracy of any information presented on this website cannot be guaranteed. I use authoritative references to insure high standards of accuracy and review and update the information frequently. Please contact me if you find errors.