What is the difference between mimosa and the shame tree?
Mimosa and the shame tree both shyly close their leaves when touched, looking bashful, both attractive and fun. So what are the differences between mimosa and the shame tree?
1. Mimosa
Mimosa is a perennial herb or subshrub of the Fabaceae family. Because its leaves respond to heat and light and close immediately when touched by an external force, it is named mimosa. Its shape resembles a pom-pom. After flowering it produces pods, and the fruit is flat and round. The leaves are pinnate compound leaves arranged alternately, in a palmate arrangement. It blooms roughly after midsummer, with oblong capitula, 2-3 growing in the leaf axils. The flowers are white or pink, with a bell-shaped calyx bearing 8 tiny calyx teeth, a four-lobed corolla, four stamens, and a hairless ovary. The pods are flat, with 1 seed per pod segment, and the segments fall off when mature. The flowering period is September.
The flowers, leaves and pods of mimosa all have good ornamental value, and it is relatively easy to keep alive, suitable as a potted flower on balconies and indoors (eating it or excessive contact with mimosa can also cause hair loss). It can also be planted in courtyards and other places. Mimosa differs from ordinary plants in that when touched by people, its petioles droop and its leaflets close.
2. Shame tree
The shame tree is an evergreen shrub or small tree of the genus Mimosa in the Fabaceae family. Its “shy” principle is similar to that of mimosa: as soon as it receives external stimulation, its leaves quickly close. In spring and summer fresh flowers cover the branches, followed by abundant pods. It is a garden plant of considerable ornamental value.
The shame tree is 4-5m tall, with widely spreading branches and leaves, and spiny branches and trunks. It has bipinnate compound leaves and is highly sensitive
to touch, drooping when touched, with the leaflets closing, and it soon returns to its original state. The flowers are small and light pink, with tightly arranged inflorescences. In spring and summer fresh flowers fill the branches, followed by abundant pods. The pods are densely covered with bristles, and the flowering and fruiting period is March to December.