Mimosa pigra
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643fd5c82de63045617100 |
| Scientific name | Mimosa pigra |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Cent. Pl. I: 13 (1755) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Mimosa pigra (L.), known as giant sensitive plant, has a small number of documented ethnobotanical preparations that involve infusions and washes. In northern Australia, the Wirndjuri people use the young leaves to make a mild “bush tea,” chewing the leaves or letting them steep in cool water for use after exposure to sun or for “heat stress,” and the authors record that boiling liberates tanins and polyphenols (Lowry, 2008). In Guatemala and Mexico, elders describe a leaf decoction drunk as a tonic for stomach ache and diarrhea (Nations and Kuznesof, 1986). In Thailand, healers prepare a leaf infusion taken in small cups for fever and indigestion, and a leaf rinse for sore eyes; these uses are recorded in the Thai ethnomedicinal survey (Chuakul et al., 2002).
Practical preparation: measure about 10–15 g of fresh young leaves, rinse briefly, and place in 500 mL of hot but not boiling water; steep uncovered for 10–12 minutes, then strain and drink warm. Alternatively, for an eye rinse use the same proportions and cool the infusion completely before filtering through clean cloth. Because many Mimosa species contain tannins, limit intake to two to three cups daily and discontinue if nausea or throat irritation occurs; avoid use during pregnancy due to limited safety data.
Well‑established constituents reported for this species include flavonoids (such as quercetin and kaempferol glycosides), condensed tannins, and phenolic acids (e.g., gallic and chlorogenic acids), all of which are strongly astringent and mildly antioxidant, and plausibly support the uses for oral and topical mucosal soothing (Gómez-Brandón et al., 2014). Limited pharmacological testing has shown moderate antimicrobial activity in extracts (Chuakul et al., 2002; 2003), consistent with the traditional topical applications for eye and skin.
Current research remains sparse, and the plant’s invasiveness has slowed commercial development; however, the traditional infusions continue in northern Australia and in local Thai practice where specific preparation details are still passed down by healers.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Scientific and model uses:
Mimosa pigra is used as a model organism in invasion biology and ecology research due to its aggressive, widespread invasive status. Documented applications include studies on seed dispersal mechanisms, dormancy-breaking factors, germination requirements, soil seed bank dynamics, population genetics of invasions, and the ecological impacts of its dominance in invaded ecosystems. Its known biological characteristics—such as high seed production, hard seed coats enabling long-term dormancy, and rapid vegetative reproduction—are key parameters investigated.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Mimosa asperata var. pigra | (L.) Willd. | Sp. Pl., ed. 4. 4: 1035 (1806) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| Spanish | mimosa asperata var. pigra |
| Afrikaans | raak-my-nie |
| bjn | susupan gunung |
| dag | gomachɛma |
| Fulah | ganjanji |
| Japanese | ブラックミモザ |
| Kinyarwanda | umugeyo |
| Sango | kängälë |
| Thai | ไมยราบยักษ์ |
| Vietnamese | cây mai dương |
| Vietnamese | mai dương |
| Chinese | 含羞树 |
| Chinese | 刺軸含羞草 |
| Chinese | 刺轴含羞草 |
| Chinese | 大含羞草 |
Varieties (abbr. var.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Mimosa pigra var. asperata | (L.) Zarucchi, Vincent & Gandhi | Phytoneuron2018-70: 2 (2018) |
| Mimosa pigra var. dehiscens | (Barneby) Glazier & Mackinder | Kew Bull.52: 462 (1997) |
| Mimosa pigra var. pigra | L. | Unknown |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
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Africa click to expand
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East Tropical Africa
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Uganda
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Northeast Tropical Africa
- Chad
- Ethiopia
- Somalia
- Sudan
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Northern Africa
- Egypt
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South Tropical Africa
- Angola
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
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Southern Africa
- Botswana
- Cape Provinces
- Caprivi Strip
- Kwazulu-Natal
- Namibia
- Northern Provinces
- Swaziland
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West Tropical Africa
- Benin
- Burkina
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Ivory Coast
- Liberia
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
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West-central Tropical Africa
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Congo
- Gabon
- Rwanda
- Zaïre
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Western Indian Ocean
- Madagascar
- Mauritius
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East Tropical Africa
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Asia-temperate click to expand
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Eastern Asia
- Taiwan
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Eastern Asia
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Asia-tropical click to expand
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Indian Subcontinent
- Bangladesh
- Sri Lanka
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Indo-China
- Cambodia
- Myanmar
- Thailand
- Vietnam
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Malesia
- Lesser Sunda Islands
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Indian Subcontinent
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Australasia click to expand
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Australia
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
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Australia
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Northern America click to expand
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Mexico
- Mexico Central
- Mexico Gulf
- Mexico Northwest
- Mexico Southeast
- Mexico Southwest
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South-central U.S.A.
- Texas
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Southeastern U.S.A.
- Florida
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Mexico
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Southern America click to expand
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Brazil
- Brazil North
- Brazil Northeast
- Brazil South
- Brazil Southeast
- Brazil West-central
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Caribbean
- Cuba
- Jamaica
- Leeward Islands
- Puerto Rico
- Trinidad-Tobago
- Windward Islands
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Central America
- Belize
- Costa Rica
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Panamá
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Northern South America
- French Guiana
- Guyana
- Suriname
- Venezuela
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Southern South America
- Argentina Northeast
- Paraguay
- Uruguay
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Western South America
- Bolivia
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Galápagos
- Peru
-
Brazil
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000165078 |
| Florida Plant Atlas | 1614 |
| Tropicos | 13045191 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:313003-2 |
| The Plant List | ild-115 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 294853 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 367322 |
| Nature Serve | 2.149309 |
| IUCN Red List | 49486238 |
| IPNI | 313003-2 |
| iNaturalist | 47445 |
| GBIF | 2969431 |
| Freebase | /m/0g9cvw |
| EPPO | MIMPI |
| EOL | 417648 |
| USDA GRIN | 24400 |
| Wikipedia | Mimosa_pigra |
| CMAUP | NPO2030 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Aromatic monoterpenoids | |||||
| methyl (1R,2S,6R)-3-methyl-2-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-6-phenylcyclohex-3-ene-1-carboxylate | 24864449 | Click to see | 298.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Bicyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| (6-hydroxy-4-methoxy-1-benzofuran-7-yl)-[(1R,2S,6R)-3-methyl-2-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-6-phenylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl]methanone | 24864268 | Click to see | 430.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(2R)-7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-2-methyl-2-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)chromen-8-yl]-[(1R,2S,6R)-3-methyl-2-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-6-phenylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl]methanone | 101855692 | Click to see | 540.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(2S)-7-Hydroxy-5-methoxy-2-methyl-2-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-8-yl][(1R,2S,6R)-3-methyl-2-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-6-phenyl-3-cyclohexenyl]methanone | 101855694 | Click to see CC1=CCC(C(C1CC=C(C)C)C(=O)C2=C3C(=C(C=C2O)OC)C=CC(O3)(C)CCC=C(C)C)C4=CC=CC=C4 | 540.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzopyrans / 1-benzopyrans / 2,2-dimethyl-1-benzopyrans | |||||
| Panduratin E | 24864269 | Click to see CC1=CCC(C(C1CC=C(C)C)C(=O)C2=C3C(=C(C=C2O)OC)C=CC(O3)(C)C)C4=CC=CC=C4 | 472.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Diarylheptanoids / Linear diarylheptanoids | |||||
| (-)-Nicolaioidesin B | 637029 | Click to see CC1=CCC(C(C1CC=C(C)C)C2=CC=CC=C2)C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O)OC)O | 406.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1'R,2'S,6'R)-2-Hydroxyisopanduratin A | 23656472 | Click to see CC1=CCC(C(C1CC=C(C)C)C2=CC=CC=C2)C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O)O)O | 392.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2-hydroxy-4,6-dimethoxyphenyl)-[(1R,2S,6R)-3-methyl-2-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-6-phenylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl]methanone | 44444916 | Click to see | 420.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2,6-dihydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-[(1S,2R,6S)-3-methyl-2-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-6-phenylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl]methanone | 25023021 | Click to see CC1=CCC(C(C1CC=C(C)C)C(=O)C2=C(C=C(C=C2O)OC)O)C3=CC=CC=C3 | 406.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 4-hydroxypanduratin A | 636530 | Click to see CC1=CCC(C(C1CC=C(C)C)C(=O)C2=C(C=C(C=C2O)O)O)C3=CC=CC=C3 | 392.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isopanduratin A | 10069916 | Click to see CC1=CCC(C(C1CC=C(C)C)C(=O)C2=C(C=C(C=C2OC)O)O)C3=CC=CC=C3 | 406.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isopanduratin A1 | 44444913 | Click to see CC1=CCC(C(C1CC=C(C)C)C2=CC=CC=C2)C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3OC)O)O | 406.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Panduratin A | 6483648 | Click to see | 406.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Panduratin C | 6483647 | Click to see CC1=CCC(C(C1CC=C(C)C)C(=O)C2=C(C=C(C=C2OC)O)O)C3=CC=C(C=C3)O | 422.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / 6-prenylated flavans / 6-prenylated flavanones | |||||
| (2S)-6-[(2E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienyl]-5,7-dihydroxy-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one | 44444915 | Click to see CC(=CCCC(=CCC1=C(C2=C(C=C1O)OC(CC2=O)C3=CC=CC=C3)O)C)C | 392.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2S)-6-Geranylpinostrobin | 44444914 | Click to see CC(=CCCC(=CCC1=C(C=C2C(=C1O)C(=O)CC(O2)C3=CC=CC=C3)OC)C)C | 406.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / 8-prenylated flavans / 8-prenylated flavanones | |||||
| (2R)-8-geranylpinostrobin | 23656470 | Click to see CC(=CCCC(=CCC1=C(C=C(C2=C1OC(CC2=O)C3=CC=CC=C3)O)OC)C)C | 406.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones | |||||
| Pinocembrin | 68071 | Click to see C1C(OC2=CC(=CC(=C2C1=O)O)O)C3=CC=CC=C3 | 256.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 5-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| 5-O-Methylnaringenin | 182315 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC2=C1C(=O)CC(O2)C3=CC=C(C=C3)O)O | 286.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Alpinetin | 154279 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC2=C1C(=O)CC(O2)C3=CC=CC=C3)O | 270.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| (-)-Pinostrobin | 73201 | Click to see | 270.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2R)-5,7-Dimethoxyflavanone | 689012 | Click to see | 284.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2S)-5,7-dimethoxy-2-phenyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-4-one | 689011 | Click to see | 284.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 3,5,7,4'-Tetramethoxyflavone | 631095 | Click to see | 342.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 5-Hydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone | 5748697 | Click to see | 298.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 5-Hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavone | 5281601 | Click to see | 298.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 5,7-Dimethoxyflavone | 88881 | Click to see COC1=CC2=C(C(=C1)OC)C(=O)C=C(O2)C3=CC=CC=C3 | 282.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 5,7,3',4'-Tetramethoxyflavone | 631170 | Click to see | 342.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Apigenin trimethyl ether | 79730 | Click to see COC1=CC=C(C=C1)C2=CC(=O)C3=C(O2)C=C(C=C3OC)OC | 312.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Galangin 3,5,7-trimethyl ether | 117900 | Click to see | 312.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Kaempferol 3,7,4'-trimethyl ether | 5468749 | Click to see COC1=CC=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)OC)O)OC | 328.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Pentamethylquercetin | 97332 | Click to see | 372.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Pinostrobin | 6950539 | Click to see COC1=CC(=C2C(=O)CC(OC2=C1)C3=CC=CC=C3)O | 270.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Retusin | 5352005 | Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)OC)O)OC)OC | 358.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sakuranetin | 73571 | Click to see | 286.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Tectochrysin | 5281954 | Click to see | 268.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Kavalactones | |||||
| 7,8-Dihydro-5,6-dehydrokawain | 160673 | Click to see | 230.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Demethoxyyangonin | 5273621 | Click to see COC1=CC(=O)OC(=C1)C=CC2=CC=CC=C2 | 228.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Linear 1,3-diarylpropanoids / Chalcones and dihydrochalcones / 2-Hydroxy-dihydrochalcones | |||||
| 4,2',4'-Trihydroxy-6'-methoxydihydrochalcone | 42607705 | Click to see | 288.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Phloretin | 4788 | Click to see | 274.27 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Linear 1,3-diarylpropanoids / Chalcones and dihydrochalcones / 2-Hydroxychalcones | |||||
| (E)-1-[(1R,4S,13R)-9-hydroxy-1,5,5-trimethyl-6,15-dioxatetracyclo[9.3.1.04,13.07,12]pentadeca-7,9,11-trien-8-yl]-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-one | 101306880 | Click to see | 390.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 3-Phenyl-1-(2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one | 460718 | Click to see C1=CC=C(C=C1)C=CC(=O)C2=C(C=C(C=C2O)O)O | 256.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Cardamonin | 641785 | Click to see | 270.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Flavokawain C | 6293081 | Click to see | 300.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Helichrysetin | 6253344 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1C(=O)C=CC2=CC=C(C=C2)O)O)O | 286.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Linear 1,3-diarylpropanoids / Chalcones and dihydrochalcones / 3-prenylated chalcones | |||||
| (E)-1-[3-[(2E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienyl]-2,4-dihydroxy-6-methoxyphenyl]-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-one | 23656471 | Click to see | 406.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Stilbenes | |||||
| Geranyl-2,4-dihydroxy-6-phenethylbenzoate | 23656469 | Click to see | 394.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |