Mimosa

Albizia julibrissin

non-native

Other Names:
Silk Tree, Persian Silk Tree, Pink Siris, Bastard Tamarind, Lenkorian Acacia


The Mimosa is a non-native tree from Iran and a section of Asia from Azerbaijan to China and Korea. It was introduced to Europe in the 1700s and later to North America, where it is considered invasive in some states. It used to be included in the genus Mimosa, but now is not thought to be closely related; it is more closely related to the acacias. The cocktail called the mimosa is thought to have been invented around 1925 in Paris. It is made with champagne and orange juice, and the name probably came from the yellow flowers of a different tree called the mimosa (Acacia dealbata).

Identification Tools

Go Botany Missouri Botanical Garden Virginia Tech Dendrology Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States EnoCitizenScience

Ranges

North America Virginia

Mimosa Tree
The typical graceful arching shape of a Mimosa Tree

Mimosa leaves
The feathery leaves of a Mimosa Tree have a fern-like appearance.

A cluster of Mimosa flowers and buds
Clusters of Mimosa flower buds, the first one having opened into bloom

A cluster of Mimosa flowers and buds
A cluster of Mimosa flowers and buds

Blooming branches of a Mimosa Tree
Blooming branches of a Mimosa Tree

Mimosa Tree pods
Mimosa Trees are very productive, and seedlings sprout easily.

Mimosa Tree pods
Mimosa Tree pods, showing that this species is in the legume family

Mimosa seedling
A small Mimosa seedling

Black Locust seedling
For comparison, this is a Black Locust seedling. At a glance, they could be confused, but if you pay attention, you'll see the difference in leaflet shapes.

Mimosa Tree seedling
A tinier Mimosa Tree seedling

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