Giant sensitive plant

Mimosa invisa

Shrub that can be erect, prostrate, or climb over vegetation. Stems have four-angled, hooked prickles. Leaves are alternate, bright green, feathery, fern-like, 10-20cm long. Leaves are divided into 5-7 pairs of segments. Segments carry about 20 pairs of very small leaflets that close up when disturbed, injured and at nightfall. Flowers are round, fluffy, ball-shaped, small, pale-pink, 12mm across. Flowers grow on short stalks in leaf joints. Seed pods are thorny, clustered, about 25mm long and 6mm wide. Seeds are brown, flat, glossy, 2-3mm long.