Littleleaf Sensitive-briar (Mimosa microphylla)

Mimosa microphylla is known by the common names Littleleaf Sensitive-briar, Eastern Sensitive-briar, Sensitive Briar. This plant grows more as a ground cover in north Georgia; I've seen it in Walton, Barrow and Wilkes counties. At Fort Yargo State Park it grows along the lake shore near the Wil-A-Way Recreation Center (segment 9), south of the Fishing Area on the cliff by the slip-rail fence (segment 13), and east of the swimming beach (segment 14). This plant begins to bloom in mid June.

A plant growing on the shoreline at Fort Yargo State Park (segment 9).

A closer view.

Growing along the roadside in Walton County; this is one of the largest areas covered by Mimosa microphylla in the area.

*****

Close up views of the bloom.

*****

The leaves before and after being touched.

Seed pods developing.

A close up of a developing seed pod; these are very spiny.

A ‘ripe’ seed pod that has split longitudinally and dispersed its seeds.

A seed pod that still contains seeds.

A close up showing the seeds.

Mimosa microphylla (Littleleaf Sensitive-briar) is native to the United States. It grows from Virginia, Kentucky and Illinois south to Mississippi and .Florida; it also grows in Louisiana and Texas.
Click on an image to view a larger image

Distribution Map:
- United States Department of Agriculture Plants Database: Mimosa microphylla (Littleleaf Sensitive-briar)
- University of North Carolina Herbarium: Mimosa microphylla

Identification resources:
- Southeastern Flora: Littleleaf Sensitive-briar (Mimosa microphylla)
- Natural and Naturalized Plants of the Carolinas and Georgia: Mimosa microphylla (Eastern Sensitive-briar)
- Alabama Plants: Mimosa microphylla (Sensitive Briar)

Related posts:
- 2010: Year Of The Wildflower – Wildflower Index