Catclaw sensitive briar
Mimosa quadrivalvis L. var. nuttallii (DC.) L. S. Beard
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Morphology
- Stem
- Sprawling, 1-6 feet long, strongly ribbed, covered with hooked prickles.
- Leaves
- Alternate, stalked, 2 to 6 inches long, 2-pinnately compound with 4-8 segment pairs, each segment 1 to 2 inches long, with 8-15 pairs of leaflets; leaflets elliptic, to 1/3 inch long, somewhat thick, glabrous, midrib prominent.
- Inflorescence
- Heads, dense, spherical, 3/4 to 1 inch in diameter, stalks 1 to 3 inches long, in leaf axils.
- Flower
- Numerous, tiny, sessile, pink to lavender; calyces minute, 5-lobed; petals 5, united; stamens 8-12, filaments pink, anthers yellow.
- Fruit
- Pods, linear, 1 to 5 inches long, strongly ribbed, prickly; seeds many, nearly square, smooth.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Prairies, open woodlands, ravines, and roadsides, most abundant in dry, rocky or sandy soils.
- Distribution
- Throughout Kansas.
Practical Information
- Forage Value
- Catclaw sensitive briar is very nutritious for livestock, which will seek it out. It is an important indicator of range condition, decreasing when overgrazed.
Additional Notes
Comments
The leaflets are sensitive to touch and will fold together when disturbed. The tiny flowers are rarely seen due to the overshadowing stamens.
Synonyms
Alternative scientific names that have been used for this plant.
Scientific Name: Schrankia nuttallii
Full Citation: Schrankia nuttallii Standl.
Quick Facts
- Plant Type
- Wildflower
- Family
- Fabaceae - Bean Family
- Life Span
- Perennial
- Height
- 1-2 feet tall
- Last Updated
- 2021-08-27
Color Groups
Flowering Period
Blooms: May, June, July, August, September