Mimosa strigillosa
Encyclopedia
Mimosa strigillosa, also known as Sunshine Mimosa, and Powderpuff is a perennial ground cover in the Fabaceae
family that is native to nearly all US states bordering the gulf of Mexico and grows north into Georgia
and Arkansas
as well. The name Powderpuff refers to the small spherical flowers that rise above the plants creeping vines. Like related species in the Mimosa
family Sunshine Mimosa has sensitive leaves that can fold in a matter of seconds after being disturbed.
Because of Sunshine Mimosas mat forming nature, drought tolerance, and because like many legumes it is capable of nitrogen fixation
and thus doesn't need fertilizer
it has become recommended as a replacement for turf grasses for the purposes of xeriscaping
and lowering environmental impact. The plant is also recommended as a turfgrass replacement because of its ability to withstand some foot traffic and mowing, although it is capable of spreading rapidly and many square feet in a single growing season and some may find it problematic that the plant is a host for the larva of Little Sulphur butterflies. Because of Sunshine Mimosas general usefulness as a landscaping plant it was named one of the 2008 plants of the year by the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association.
Fabaceae
The Fabaceae or Leguminosae, commonly known as the legume, pea, or bean family, is a large and economically important family of flowering plants. The group is the third largest land plant family, behind only the Orchidaceae and Asteraceae, with 730 genera and over 19,400 species...
family that is native to nearly all US states bordering the gulf of Mexico and grows north into Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
and Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
as well. The name Powderpuff refers to the small spherical flowers that rise above the plants creeping vines. Like related species in the Mimosa
Mimosa
Mimosa is a genus of about 400 species of herbs and shrubs, in the subfamily Mimosoideae of the legume family Fabaceae. The generic name is derived from the Greek word μιμος , meaning "mimic."...
family Sunshine Mimosa has sensitive leaves that can fold in a matter of seconds after being disturbed.
Because of Sunshine Mimosas mat forming nature, drought tolerance, and because like many legumes it is capable of nitrogen fixation
Nitrogen fixation
Nitrogen fixation is the natural process, either biological or abiotic, by which nitrogen in the atmosphere is converted into ammonia . This process is essential for life because fixed nitrogen is required to biosynthesize the basic building blocks of life, e.g., nucleotides for DNA and RNA and...
and thus doesn't need fertilizer
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is any organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin that is added to a soil to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants. A recent assessment found that about 40 to 60% of crop yields are attributable to commercial fertilizer use...
it has become recommended as a replacement for turf grasses for the purposes of xeriscaping
Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping and xerogardening refers to landscaping and gardening in ways that reduce or eliminate the need for supplemental water from irrigation...
and lowering environmental impact. The plant is also recommended as a turfgrass replacement because of its ability to withstand some foot traffic and mowing, although it is capable of spreading rapidly and many square feet in a single growing season and some may find it problematic that the plant is a host for the larva of Little Sulphur butterflies. Because of Sunshine Mimosas general usefulness as a landscaping plant it was named one of the 2008 plants of the year by the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association.