Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Mimosa rupertiana B.L. Turner
(Western Sensitive Briar)


Family: Fabaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Mimosa quadrivalvis Linnaeus var. occidentalis (Wooton & Standley) Barneby
Leptoglottis occidentalis (Wooton & Standley) Britton & Rose
Morongia occidentalis Wooton & Standley
Schrankia occidentalis (Wooton & Standley) Standley

Mimosa rupertiana is a roadside prostrate herb with stems and fruits armed with slightly curved prickles. The flowers are bright pinkish purple. The long and narrow fruits are distinctively not only armed but also four angled. Mimosa rupertiana is armed with prickles while Desmanthus cooleyi and Calliandra humilis are not.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Mimosa rupertiana, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Burro Mtns., Rte. 90 between Silver City & Tyrone, June 13, 2007



Mimosa rupertiana, closeup of flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Rte. 90 between Silver City & Tyrone, May 22, 2009



Mimosa rupertiana, closeup of prickles and leaves, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Rte. 90 between Silver City & Tyrone, May 22, 2009



Mimosa rupertiana, closeup of fruit, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Rte. 90 between Silver City & Tyrone, May 22, 2009



Mimosa rupertiana, closeup of fruit, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Burro Mtns., Rte. 90 between Silver City & Tyrone, June 5, 2009


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