Mimosa Species Research Articles

Identification of Fast-Growing Rhizobia Nodulating Tropical Legumes from Puerto Rico as Rhizobium gallicum and Rhizobium tropici

Fifteen isolates from several nodulated tropical legumes from Puerto Rico (USA) were characterised by their phenotypic, molecular and symbiotic features. The identification of isolates was based on a polyphasic approach, including phenotypic characteristics, 16S rRNA sequencing, Low molecular weight (LMW) RNA profiles, Two Primers-RAPD patterns, and restriction patterns from 16S rDNA molecules. Despite of the variety of hosts included in this study the 15 isolates were separated into only two groups that corresponded to Rhizobium gallicum and Rhizobium tropici. This work shows that R. gallicum and R. tropici nodulate legume plants, such as Sesbania, Caliandra, Poitea, Piptadenia, Neptunia and Mimosa species, that were not previously considered as hosts for these rhizobia. Moreover, some of these host plants can be nodulated by both species. The results confirm the great promiscuity of R. tropici and also support the hypothesis that the species R. gallicum may be native from America or cosmopolitan and worldwide spread.

The plasma membrane aquaporin NtAQP1 is a key component of the leaf unfolding mechanism in tobacco

Epinastic leaf movement of tobacco is based on differential growth of the upper and lower leaf surface and is distinct from the motor organ-driven mechanism of nyctinastic leaf movement of, for example, mimosa species. The epinastic leaf movement of tobacco is observed not only under diurnal light regimes but also in continuous light, indicating a control by light and the circadian clock. As the transport of water across membranes by aquaporins is an important component of rapid plant cell elongation, the role of the tobacco aquaporin Nt aquaporin (AQP)1 in the epinastic response was studied in detail. In planta NtAQP1-luciferase (LUC) activity studies, Northern and Western blot analyses demonstrated a diurnal and circadian oscillation in the expression of this plasma membrane intrinsic protein (PIP)1-type aquaporin in leaf petioles, exhibiting peaks of expression coinciding with leaf unfolding. Cellular water permeability of protoplasts isolated from leaf petioles was found to be high in the morning, i.e. during the unfolding reaction, and low in the evening. Moreover, diurnal epinastic leaf movement was shown to be reduced in transgenic tobacco lines with an impaired expression of NtAQP1. It is concluded that the cyclic expression of PIP1-aquaporin represents an important component of the leaf movement mechanism.

Germination of four species of the genus Mimosa (leguminosae) in a semi-arid zone of Central Mexico

Mimosa depauperata, M. lacerata, M. similis, and M. texana var. texana are dominant leguminous shrubs in the semi-arid region of Queretaro, in central Mexico. These species grow and reproduce under conditions of disturbance; they are occasionally browsed by goats and used for firewood. The effect of temperature on germination, the longevity of the seeds in the field, and the germination potential of seeds parasitized by insects of the family Bruchidae were tested. It was found that the seeds require scarification to germination. The optimum temperature for seed germination of M. similis, M. lacerata, and M. depauperata was between 20°C and 35°C and for M. texana var. texana between 30°C and 35°C. The species germinated just as well beneath the canopy as in open areas in the field. The seeds of each species are parasitized by bruchids of the genus Acanthocelides spp., and seed infestation necessarily had a detrimental effect. The seeds in the seed bank lose their longevity at a rate of 20–73% per year. As with other legumes, Mimosa seeds have a tough seed coat, which influences germination, longevity, and susceptibility to predation by bruchids. The results form this study contribute to an understanding of the phases of germination and the longevity of the seeds of Mimosa in the seed bank in arid and semi-arid communities.

Flavonoid glycosides in the leaves of Mimosa species

Flavonoid glycosides in the leaves of Mimosa species

Endemic Mimosa species can serve as mycorrhizal "resource islands" within semiarid communities of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, Mexico.

This paper explores if Mimosa species (Fabaceae-Mimosoideae) can serve as arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and nutrient "resource islands" in six plant communities in the semiarid valley of Tehuacán-Cuicatlán, Mexico. Spatial heterogeneity related to the occurrence of Mimosa species results in temporal differences in AM-fungal spore numbers and soil nutrients. A higher number of AM-fungal spores were found in the soil below the canopies of six endemic Mimosa species than in the soil from non-vegetated areas. For four species, Mimosa adenantheroides, Mimosa calcicola, Mimosa luisana and Mimosa polyantha, the soil below their canopies had more AM-fungal spores than the soil in non-vegetated areas during the wet season than during the dry season. Two species, Mimosa lacerata and Mimosa texana var. filipes, however, had more spores under their canopies during the dry season than during the wet season. Although physical differences are present within and between sites, in general the soil below the canopies of Mimosa species had significantly higher nutrient levels than the soil from non-vegetated areas. Mimosa species thus form "resource islands" that are not only rich in nutrients but also in mycorrhizal propagules. Mimosa species can serve as mycorrhizal "resource islands" by directly affecting AM-fungal spore dynamics and/or by serving as spore-traps. A range of plants associated with Mimosa species may benefit from the higher number of AM propagules. We believe that the use of Mimosa resource islands as an option for biodiversity conservation and for land restoration ought to be considered in the Valley.

Community structure of endemic Mimosa species and environmental heterogeneity in a semi‐arid Mexican valley

Abstract. In this paper we analyse six communities with seven Mimosa species in the Tehuacán‐Cuicatlán valley, Mexico. All species are endemic to Mexico and four are endemic to the valley. Mimosa species are found in (1) the ‘matorral xerófilo’ (arid tropical scrub): Mimosa calcicola, M. lacerata, M. luisana, M. polyantha and M. purpusii, and (2) the ‘selva baja caducifolia’ (tropical deciduous forest): M. adenantheroides, Mimosa texana var. filipes. Most of them occur in similar soil environments, while M. polyantha and M. calcicola establish in particular soil conditions and only M. luisana establishes in two different sites showing a wider range of adaptation to soil characteristics. The communities studied include 24 plant families, 51 genera and ca. 70 species (5% of the total flora estimated in the valley). Heterogeneity was found among the communities. Our results point to the replacement of ‘matorral xerófilo’ and ‘selva baja caducifolia’ by ‘matorral espinoso’ (thorny scrub). Thorny species (e.g. Acacia cochliacantha, Mimosa spp.) are becoming the dominant/codominant elements in the communities. Within the communities, Mimosa species have a significant influence on soil pH, organic matter and electrical conductivity values. These species contribute to ameliorate soil nutrient conditions (OM, Ntot, P, Ca, Mg, Na and K contents) as well as other environmental factors (e.g. temperature, shade) under their canopy in degraded plant communities and may serve as ‘resource islands’.

Community structure of endemic Mimosa species and environmental heterogeneity in a semi-arid Mexican valley

Abstract In this paper we analyse six communities with seven Mimosa species in the Tehuacan-Cuicatlan valley, Mexico. All species are endemic to Mexico and four are endemic to the valley. Mimosa species are found in (1) the ‘matorral xerofilo’ (arid tropical scrub): Mimosa calcicola, M. lacerata, M. luisana, M. polyantha and M. purpusii, and (2) the ‘selva baja caducifolia’ (tropical deciduous forest): M. adenantheroides, Mimosa texana var. filipes. Most of them occur in similar soil environments, while M. polyantha and M. calcicola establish in particular soil conditions and only M. luisana establishes in two different sites showing a wider range of adaptation to soil characteristics. The communities studied include 24 plant families, 51 genera and ca. 70 species (5% of the total flora estimated in the valley). Heterogeneity was found among the communities. Our results point to the replacement of ‘matorral xerofilo’ and ‘selva baja caducifolia’ by ‘matorral espinoso’ (thorny scrub). Thorny species (e.g. ...

Ralstonia taiwanensis sp. nov., isolated from root nodules of Mimosa species and sputum of a cystic fibrosis patient.

A polyphasic taxonomic study, including 16S rDNA sequence analysis, DNA-DNA hybridizations, DNA base ratio determinations, amplified 165 rDNA restriction analysis, whole-cell protein analyses and extensive biochemical characterization, was conducted to clarify the relationships of eight isolates from root nodules of Mimosa species and one isolate from sputum of a cystic fibrosis patient. All nine isolates were classified as a novel Ralstonia species, for which the name Ralstonia taiwanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LMG 19424T (= CCUG 44338T). R. taiwanensis effectively nodulated the Mimosa species and is the first beta-proteobacterium that is known to be capable of root nodule formation and nitrogen fixation.

Useful species of the genus Mimosa (Fabaceae-Mimosoideae) in Mexico

By the number of species, Mimosa is the most important genus of Mimosoideae in Mexico; however, species of this genus have not been considered as important natural resources, due to the lack of ethnobotanic information. Based on the revision of herbarium collections (CODAGEM, ENCB, IEB, IMSSM, MEXU and UAMIZ) , of data base of useful plants in Mexico (Banco de Información Etnobotánica de Plantas Mexicanas, BADEPLAM, UNAM), specialized literature, as well as information obtained in the field, a compilation about uses of Mimosa species in Mexico has been done. A list of 32 species with local or regional uses is presented. Of these, 16 are used as fodder, 15 have medicinal use, 14 as fuel, 11 as living fences; other less frequent uses include construction material (6 species), meliferous (5), furriery (4), ornament l (3), edible (2), and agricultural tool (1).

Chromosome Numbers of Some Southernmost Species of Mimosa L. (Leguminosae).

Chromosome numbers of 9 species of Mimosa which grow in the southern limit of the South American centre of diversification were determined, all of them are new reports except the one of M. oligophylla. M. vellosiella, M. oligophylla and M. flagellaris were diploids with 2n=2x=26; M. velloziana and M. adpressa were tetraploids with 2n=4x= 52; M. sprengelii, M rarnulosa and M. rocae were octoploids with 2n=8x=104; and one accession of M. balansae was diploid while the other was tetraploid. All of them were multiples of the basic chromosome number x=13. The polyploid species were more frequent at higher latitudes, this increment was also accompanied with a higher ploidy level of the polyploids southernward. All the polyploids found belong to the sections with most advanced characters of the genus, which supports the phylogeny proposed for Mimosa by Barneby. Data suggest that the extension of the genus toward the temperate zones might have be done mainly by polyploid species, which may have had advantages over the diploids in colonising habitats restricted to the latter.

Phytogeographic patterns of Mimosa (Mimosoideae, Leguminosae) in the Cerrado biome of Brazil: an indicator genus of high-altitude centers of endemism?

The objective of this study was to elucidate phytogeographic patterns of Mimosa in the Cerrado biome and assess their usefulness in conservation. We recorded 189 species of Mimosa, 74% restricted to the biome and 26% in other areas; 8% are endangered. Grid rectangles of 1° × 1° 30′ within continuous Cerrado were scored for Mimosa species. Similarity matrixes using the Jaccard coefficient were assessed using UPGMA clustering and nonmetric multidimensional scaling; this produced 12 floristic provinces. Centers of diversity overlapped with centers of endemism at the spatial scale of this analysis; 48% of the species are narrow endemics and were registered to 28 (22%) of the grid rectangles. Mimosa is proposed as an indicator taxon of highland plant endemism within the Cerrado, as several Mimosa-inferred centers of endemism are also major centers of highland endemism. Six grid rectangles in which floristic provinces lacking reserves coincided with centers of endemism lacking reserves, are proposed as high priorities for new biological reserves.

Guinetia: A New Genus in the Tribe Ingeae (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae) from Mexico

For many years the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Oaxaca (Mexico) has been recognised for its distinctive flora and fauna. Shufeldt (1872) gave a comprehensive account of the biodiversity of the area. Between 1940 and 1950 Thomas MacDougall collected widely in the area and discovered many new species and genera of animals and plants (Stix 1974, 1975), so the region became a centre for collecting Cactaceae and other horticulturally important plants such as Begoniaceae and Gesneriaceae. The Leguminosae of Oaxaca project started in 1975, and since then M. Sousa and colleagues have gathered numerous plant specimens from across the whole state. As of 1996, 750 species of Leguminosae have been recorded from Oaxaca, representing 43.5% of the total number of legumes recorded for the whole of Mexico by Sousa & Delgado (1993). The new genus Guinetia, here described, was collected for the first time in 1968 on sand dunes of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, an area from which a new species of Mimosa was also described by Grether (1981). This new genus belongs to the tribe Ingeae which is in part characterised by flowers with numerous stamens, joined into a tube for at least part of their length, and anthers without glands; Nielsen (1981) reviewed the genera in the tribe Ingeae, and stated how the classification has been based on fruit features, leading in many cases to 'pod-genera' which can be very difficult to separate when in flower. Barneby & Grimes (1996, 1997) and Barneby (1998), produced a framework of 7 alliances (groups of related genera) for the tribe Ingeae, based on growth, branching pattern and developmental characters of vegetative and floral buds. A conspectus of these is given in Barneby & Grimes (1996). Within this classification, the new genus Guinetia has characteristics both of the Chloroleucon and Inga alliances and also of the Genera incertae sedis. A comparison of features is presented in Table 1. The presence of brachyblasts and persistent perulate scales places Guinetia closer to the Chloroleucon alliance, but it matches none of the genera within that group. Within the Inga Alliance the closest genera are Calliandra, Zapoteca and Albizia (sensu Barneby & Grimes 1996: 12, 203 205 and cited under

Toward a Census of Genus Mimosa (Mimosaceae) in the Americas: A New Species from Mexico (Baja California Sur) and Two from Planaltine Brazil (Goias, Minas Gerais)

Three new species of Mimosa are described: M. (sect. Batocaulon) epitropica Barneby & Leon de la Luz from Mexico (Baja California Sur); and two from planaltine Brazil, M. (sect. Habbasia) bispiculata Barneby and M. (sect. Mimosa) demissa Barneby. The affinity of each is discussed, and all are illustrated.

THE GENUS MIMOSA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TOM. QUADRIVALVIS L. VAR. LEPTOCARPA (D.C.) EARNEDY, A NEW SPECIES RECORD FOR THE WEED FLORA IN MALAYSIA*)

An exploratory floristic survey of the genus Mimosa was conducted in 1993 to ascertain species diversity and their spatial patterns of distribution in Peninsular Malaysia. A new species record of uncertain indigene, M.. quadrivalvis was recorded for the first time in restricted localities along the roadsides in Pekan Darat and Bertam, Seberang Perai, Gurun and Bedong in Kedah in addition to widely distributed and seemingly ubiquitous presence of M. invisa Mart. ex. Colla and M. pudica L. The latter two species were mostly found in open, disturbed and derelict habitats, agricultural areas and ex-mining lands. Both species exhibited largely contagious and overdispersed distribution patterns with positive peaks in pattern intensity values although regularity or underdispersed distribution patterns do manifest in certain localities. The giant mimosa, M. pigra inhabited in clustered thickets, large pockets of lands in the urban and sub-urban localities in the states of Penang, Perak, Kelantan, Kuala Lumpur and Negeri Sembilan. In other states, M. pigra was confined to a few localities in smaller patches. Except for M. quadrivalvis, the other species of Mimosa are serious weeds in the agricultural, recreational and residential and derelict areas. A key to the Mimosa species is constructed along with brief descriptions on their morphology and ecology. Key words: Malaysia/Weed ecology/Mimosa invisa/Mimosa pigra/Mimosa pudica/Mimosa quadrivalvis/ Weeddistribution/Weed anatomy and morphology.

Factors affecting production of COS and CS2 in Leucaena and Mimosa species

Carbon disulfide (CS2) and carbonyl sulfide (COS) are colorless, foul-smelling, volatile sulfur compounds with biocidal properties. Some plants produce CS2 or COS or both. When used as an intercrop or forecrop, these plants may have agronomic potential in protecting other plants. Most of the factors which affect production of these plant-generated organic sulfides are unknown. We determined the effects of sulfate concentration, plant age, nitrogen fixation, drought stress, root injury (through cutting), and undisturbed growth on COS production in Leucaena retusa or Leucaena leucocephala and the effect of some of these factors on CS2 production in Mimosa pudica. In addition, we determined if organic sulfides were produced in all Leucaena species. When L. retusa and M. pudica seedlings were grown in a plant nutrient medium with different sulfate concentrations (50 to 450 mg SL-1), COS or CS2 from crushed roots generally increased with increasing sulfate concentration. COS production was highest (≤74 ng mg-1 dry root) for young L. retusa seedlings and declined to low amounts (<5 ng mg-1 dry root) for older seedlings. Nitrogen fixation reduced the amounts of COS or CS2 produced in L. leucocephala and M. pudica. Under conditions of undisturbed growth, root cutting, or drought stress, no COS production was detected in 4-to 8-weeks-old L. retusa plants. COS or CS2 or both was obtained from crushed roots or shoots of all 13 known Leucaena species.

Fossil legume fruits from tertiary strata of Puebla, Mexico

A small assemblage of fossil legume fruits, leaf fragments, and leaflets has been recovered from the Tertiary (Oligocene) "Los Ahuehuetes" flora near the town of Tepexi de Rodríguez, Puebla, in south-central Mexico. Five legume fruits are described and compared with fruits of extant genera. Four fruit types were identified as belonging to the modern genera Prosopis (Mimoseae; Mimosoideae), Mimosa (Mimoseae; Mimosoideae), Lysiloma (Ingeae; Mimosoideae), and Sophora (Sophoreae; Papilionoideae). Another fruit exhibits a combination of characters unknown among extant legumes, and although superficially similar to some species of Papilionoideae, it represents an extinct genus. The four identified genera are diverse in the extant vegetation of Mexico; in fact, Mexico represents an important area of distribution for them. The presence of Prosopis, Mimosa, Lysiloma, and Sophora in the fossil flora of Puebla documents the occurrence of these genera in this part of their present area of distribution by the Oligocene. The climatic affinities of modern species of Mimosa, Lysiloma, and Sophora are so varied as to preclude any useful paleoclimatic inference. Prosopis is regularly associated with arid environments; however, the genus has been reported from fossil localities where humid conditions prevailed. This observation, together with the assemblage of plants that co-occur in the Los Ahuehuetes flora, suggests that plant communities of the past may have been composed, at least partly, of elements that today are associated with different habitats and environmental conditions. The fossil legume fruits from Los Ahuehuetes flora add to the previously known diversity of Leguminosae by the Tertiary, confirm tropical America as one of the important areas of radiation and diversification for Leguminosae, and contribute to the knowledge of Tertiary floras of southern North America. Key words: Leguminosae, Tertiary, Mexico, paleobotany, fossil legume.

Two New Taxa of Mimosa (Leguminosae) from Oaxaca, Mexico

Two new taxa of Mimosa from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, M6xico are de- scribed and illustrated. Mimosa torresiae is assigned to sect. Habbasia Benth. series Rubicaules Benth. and is closely related to M. leucaenoides Benth. The new variety, Mimosa antioquensis var. isthmensis is disjunct from var. antioquensis, which occurs in Colombia. Oaxaca, Mexico, has a great diversity of Mi- mosa species. About 45% of the mimosas occur- ring in Mexico have been collected in this state (Grether 1978). They occur in different primary vegetation types as well as in secondary vege- tation, at altitudes from sea level to 2500 m. Extensive collections by Mario Sousa and col- laborators for over a decade have resulted in the description of many new taxa of legumes, adding to important collections of others in the past, such as those made by Conzatti, Liebmann, and Galeotti. Correct names and synonymies for 16 species of Mimosa occurring in Oaxaca have been pub- lished (Grether 1987), and four new taxa have been discovered: Mimosa sousae R. Grether (se- ries Sensitivae), which was described from the region of Salina Cruz in the Isthmus of Te- huantepec and seems to be endemic to this area (Grether 1981); Mimosa albida Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. var. pochutlensis R. Grether (series Sen- sitivae) described from the region of Pochutla (Grether 1982); and the new species and variety described herein, also from the Isthmus of Te- huantepec.

A New Species of Mimosa (Leguminosae) from the State of Guerrero, Mexico

Mimosa xochipalensis, a new species from the State of Guerrero, Mexico is described and illustrated. It presently is known only from the vicinity of Xochipala, located in the Balsas River Basin in the region known as Cafi6n del Zopilote. The new species is referred to the series Leptostachyae, section Habbasia. It is related to Mimosa rosei Robinson, M. spirocarpa Rose, M. guatemalensis (Hook. & Arn.) Benth., and M. egregia Sandw. About a hundred species of Mimosa are known to occur in Mexico, mainly in tropical and arid regions, although several species grow in temperate areas. The number of species occurring in the country has not changed greatly due to the discovery of several undescribed species in the last years, balanced by recently established synonymies (Grether 1987). Mimosa xochipalensis is one of the recent discoveries. Mimosa xochipalensis R. Grether, sp. nov. (fig. 1).-TYPE: Mexico, Guerrero, Municipio de Zumpango del Rio, 10 km al E-SE de Xochipala, camino a Filo de Caballo, alt. 760 m, selva baja decidua, 22 Nov 1985, Grether 1982 & Quero (holotype: MEXU; isotypes: BM, ENCB, GH, MO, NY, UAMIZ, UC, US, XAL).-PARATYPE: 10 km al E-SE de Xochipala, camino a Filo de Caballo, 19 Nov 1978, Grether 1144 & Quero (ENCB, FCME, MEXU, NY, UAMIZ). Arbor parva (vel frutex), 2-5 m alta, ramis inermibus vel armatis et tomentosis, glabrescentibus; pinnae 1-2-jugae; foliola 1-juga, oblique orbicularia vel reniformia vel obovata, (1)1.5-2.5(3.5) x (0.8)1.2-2.4(3.6) cm, glabra, venatione utrinque manifeste palmato-reticulata. Flores tetrameri vel pentameri, diplostemonei, tomentosi, in spicis brevibus dispositi, axe florali 2-3 cm longo. Leguminis valvulae (2)4-8(9) articulatae, tomentosae, replo inermi. M. rosei Robinson affinis, a qua pinnis 1-2 jugis, foliolis cartilagineis, spicis brevibus, et floribus et leguminibus tomentosis differt. Small, deciduous tree or shrub, 2-5 m high; branchlets ribbed, reddish, tomentulose, and glabrescent, older branches striate, ochre to grayish-brown and glabrous, unarmed or armed with scattered, straight to recurved, internodal aculei. Stipules (0.15)0.2-0.4(0.5) cm long, subulate to linear, tomentose to glabrous, with a prominent central nerve; petiole (1)2-3.5(4.5) cm long, eglandular, grooved, unarmed, puberulous to glabrous; pinnae 1-2 pairs; leaflets 1 pair (exceptionally 2 pairs, seen only in one leaf), (1)1.5-2.5(3.5) cm long, (0.8)1.2-2.4(3.6) cm wide, obliquely orbicular to reniform or obovate, glabrous, cartilaginous, with prominent palmate-reticulate nerves on both faces, margin thickened, continuous, apex obtuse, rarely emarginate; primary leaf rachis (in leaves with 2 pairs of pinnae) (1)1.5-2(3.5) cm long, unarmed or rarely armed with 1-2 aculei; secondary leaf rachis (0.8)1-2(3) cm long, unarmed. Flowers sessile, spicate, the spikes dense, axillary, in groups of 2-3, and arranged in lateral racemes 25-60 cm long; peduncle (1)2-3(3.5) cm long, ribbed, tomentose, unarmed, becoming ligneous in fructification, floral axis 2-3 cm long; bracteoles spatulate, tomentose, uninerved, subequal calyx length, 0.08-0.15 cm; calyx campanulate, 4-5 toothed, tomentose, 0.1-0.15 cm, 1/31/2corolla length; corolla 4-5-lobed, pink, tomentose, 0.2-0.3 cm long, lobes 1/4-1/2 corolla length; stamens 8-10, free to base, 0.7-0.9 cm long; pistil 0.8-1.2 cm long, ovary stipitate, tomentose, 0.05-0.1 cm long, style 0.75-1.1 cm long, stigma poriform. Legume sessile to slightly stipitate, narrowly oblong, (2.5)3.5-6.5(7.5) cm long, 0.6-0.9(1) cm wide, constricted between seeds, stipe 0.3-0.5 cm, valves tomentose, (2)4-8(9) articulate, replum unarmed, tomentose, apex apiculate to rostrate. Seeds ovoid or obliquely rhombic, reddish-brown, 3.5-4.5 x

4-Ethylgallic acid from two Mimosa species

4-Ethylgallic acid has been identified from the flowers of Mimosa hamata and M. rubicaulis.

Mimosa Nanchititlana, a New Species from the State of Mexico, Mexico (Mimosaceae)

AMimosa remarkable for the combination of spicate inflorescences and non-articulate pods is described from the southwestern part of the state of Mexico and figured; its known distribution is given and its relationships discussed; diagnostic characters of known sympatric species ofMimosa are listed.