Mimosa Species, Cat's Claw, Fourvalve Mimosa, Sensitive Briar (Mimosa quadrivalvis)

Sprawling or trailing vines with angular stems covered with hooked prickles. Stems up to 4' with alternate, doubly compound leaves on prickly stalks. Ball shaped flower heads occur on 2-3" prickly stalks along stems. The sensitive leaflets rapidly fold together when contacted. Stem prickles painful if caught between toes while running barefoot. Often called Devil's Shoestrings by rural children.

by gramoz Aug 14, 2002 11:44 AM