Common Name:

General Information

Mimosa bimucronata is a spiny, much-branched, deciduous shrub or small tree with a low, dense, roundish crown; it can grow 4 - 8 metres tall. The bole is usually crooked, about 20 - 30cm in diameter[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of fuel. A floriferous, ornamental plant, it is often used in hedges and as dividing fences[].
Mimosa bimucronata has a wide distribution, a believed stable population at present and is present in protected areas. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, southern, eastern and central Brazil.

Habitat

Often found in humid, swampy soils, usually in secondary forest formations, on coastal plains and river basins[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	6.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position[]. Tolerant of wet soils[].
The tree is fast-growing when young[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves are emollient and mucilaginous[]. An infusion of the young shoots is used to relieve asthma, asthmatic bronchitis and recurrent fevers[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is often used within its native range to form hedges and for dividing properties[].
A natural pioneer species, it could be used in mixed plantings to re-establish native woodland[].

Other Uses

The wood is medium-textured, wavy-grained, moderately heavy, hard, with moderate mechanical properties and quite durable[]. It is used for cabinet making, carpentry and external work such as fence posts[].
An excellent fuel, it is widely used for brick kilns, bakeries and for boilers[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and, unless sown as soon as it is ripe and still moist, may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing. Sow the seed as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed. A high germination rate can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 14 - 28 days[]. When the seedlings are 5 - 6cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 4 - 6 months later[].

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