We are following the treatment given in the online 'Flora Do Brazil'. However, some other treatments are using Mimosa obovata Benth., as the correct name for this species (we treat it here as a synonym)[].

Common Name:

General Information

Mimosa laticifera is a spiny, deciduous tree with a dense, irregular crown; it can grow 4 - 6 metres tall. The crooked bole has a deeply fissured, corky bark, it can be 15 - 25cm in diameter[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a source of wood. Very ornamental when in bloom, the tree has potential for use as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - central and eastern Brazil.

Habitat

Savannah, usually on high terrain, growing in dark-red latosols of medium texture and acid pH[].

Properties

Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
Young plants have a moderate rate of growth[].
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

None known

Other Uses

The wood is of medium texture, heavy, hard, with poor mechanical properties and more or less durable. Because of its small dimensions, it is only used for items such as fence posts, tool handles and making rustic furniture[].
The wood is used for fuel and for making charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and 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 in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed. A low germination rate can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 21 - 28 days[].

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