Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Mimosa quadrivalvis Linnaeus var. occidentalis (Wooton & Standley) Barneby
(Western Sensitive Briar)


Family: Fabaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Leptoglottis occidentalis (Wooton & Standley) Britton & Rose
Mimosa rupertiana B.L. Turner
Morongia occidentalis Wooton & Standley
Schrankia occidentalis (Wooton & Standley) Standley

Mimosa quadrivalvis var. occidentalis is a roadside prostrate herb with stems and fruits armed with slightly curved prickles. The flowers are bright pinkish purple. The long and narrow fruits are distinctively not only armed but also four angled. Mimosa quadrivalvis var. occidentalis is armed with prickles while Desmanthus cooleyi and Calliandra humilis are not.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Mimosa quadrivalvis var. occidentalis, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Burro Mtns., Rte. 90 between Silver City & Tyrone, June 13, 2007



Mimosa quadrivalvis var. occidentalis, closeup of flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Rte. 90 between Silver City & Tyrone, May 22, 2009



Mimosa quadrivalvis var. occidentalis, closeup of prickles and leaves, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Rte. 90 between Silver City & Tyrone, May 22, 2009



Mimosa quadrivalvis var. occidentalis, closeup of fruit, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Rte. 90 between Silver City & Tyrone, May 22, 2009



Mimosa quadrivalvis var. occidentalis, closeup of fruit, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Burro Mtns., Rte. 90 between Silver City & Tyrone, June 5, 2009


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