mimosa

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Posted by Kevin Lorentz on May 28, 2001 at 18:54:11:

In Reply to: Re: P OISONOUS posted by Martin on May 28, 2001 at 11:00:21:

mimosa

(Top) Unstimulated and (bottom) stimulated sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica)

any member of a genus (Mimosa) of more than 450 plants in the mimosa family (Mimosaceae), native to tropical and subtropical areas throughout both hemispheres. They are so named from the movements of the leaves in certain species that �mimic� animal sensibility.

Most Mimosa species are herbs or undershrubs; some are woody climbers; and a few are trees. They are often prickly. The leaves of most are bipinnate (i.e., the leaflets of the feather-formed leaves, in turn, bear leaflets). The roots of some species are poisonous; others contain substances irritating to the skin. Mimosas give their name to the family Mimosaceae (order Fabales), whose members are characterized by small regular flowers with valvate corolla.

Mimosas are widely cultivated partly for the beauty of their bipinnate foliage and partly for their interesting response to light and mechanical stimuli. A few species have leaves that are sensitive to light and touch; they droop in response to darkness and close up their leaflets when touched. When shaken in any way, the leaves close and droop simultaneously. The well-known sensitive plant (q.v.), or humble plant (M. pudica), native to Central America, and similar species such as M. sensitiva are commonly grown in greenhouses.

Many species of the related genus Acacia are commonly but erroneously called mimosas.

hope this helps some. Kevin

: Hi JB,
: I looked up the Mimosa (Desmanthus illinoensis) and as far as I can tell, it is not poisonous. I could not find a reference to it being called a silk tree though. For more information you may want to check out the turtle cafe. Hope this helps.
: Martin : Is a Mimosa tree also called a Silk tree Poisonous to tortoises? Are any part of it's different stages, Bean, flowers?

KDL Reptiles

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: mimosa : (Top) Unstimulated and (bottom) stimulated sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica) : : any member of a genus (Mimosa) of more than 450 plants in the mimosa family (Mimosaceae), native to tropical and subtropical areas throughout both hemispheres. They are so named from the movements of the leaves in certain species that �mimic� animal sensibility. : Most Mimosa species are herbs or undershrubs; some are woody climbers; and a few are trees. They are often prickly. The leaves of most are bipinnate (i.e., the leaflets of the feather-formed leaves, in turn, bear leaflets). The roots of some species are poisonous; others contain substances irritating to the skin. Mimosas give their name to the family Mimosaceae (order Fabales), whose members are characterized by small regular flowers with valvate corolla. : Mimosas are widely cultivated partly for the beauty of their bipinnate foliage and partly for their interesting response to light and mechanical stimuli. A few species have leaves that are sensitive to light and touch; they droop in response to darkness and close up their leaflets when touched. When shaken in any way, the leaves close and droop simultaneously. The well-known sensitive plant (q.v.), or humble plant (M. pudica), native to Central America, and similar species such as M. sensitiva are commonly grown in greenhouses. : Many species of the related genus Acacia are commonly but erroneously called mimosas. : : : hope this helps some. Kevin : : Hi JB, : : I looked up the Mimosa (Desmanthus illinoensis) and as far as I can tell, it is not poisonous. I could not find a reference to it being called a silk tree though. For more information you may want to check out the turtle cafe. Hope this helps. : : Martin : Is a Mimosa tree also called a Silk tree Poisonous to tortoises? Are any part of it's different stages, Bean, flowers?

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