Bashful plant (Mimosa pigra)

Bashful plant

Also known as: Giant sensitive tree, Giant sensitive plant, Thorny sensitive plant

The bashful plant forms dense, hostile thickets in damp areas. It tends to take over river and lake shorelines and also regularly invades rice paddies. As a result, bashful plant is considered one of the top 100 most invasive species in the world.

Scientific classification

Species

Bashful plant (Mimosa pigra)

Legumes, milkworts and allies

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Perennial

Lifespan

Shrub

Plant Type

Spring, Summer

Bloom Time

5 m

Plant Height

Deciduous

Leaf type

20 - 38 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Images of Bashful plant

Distribution of Bashful plant

Distribution Map

Bashful plant, a plant with a broad geographical presence, is native to areas in South and Central America. Its natural habitat has extended through humans' actions to regions across Africa, Asia, and Oceania. In several of these new environments, bashful plant is sometimes thought to be an opportunistic plant, potentially having an impact on local ecosystems by outcompeting native species. While not cultivated intentionally, its spread in certain areas has prompted concern over its growing ecological footprint.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Introduced

No species reported

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Habitat

Roadsides, waterways, drainage ditches, floodplains, swamps, seasonally flooded wetlands, lowland pastures and the edges of water bodies in wetter tropical and sub-tropical regions

Hemisphere Trend Curve

Northern

Sorthern

Care Guide for Bashful plant

Every 2-3 weeks

Water

Full sun

Sunlight

20 - 38 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Water: Bashful plant is moderately drought-tolerant, thriving with water every 2-3 weeks, reflecting its natural habitat's fluctuating moisture. Preferring outdoor growth for optimal light and climate, bashful plant requires less watering in cooler months when evaporation is lower.

Fertilize: For bashful plant, use a high-nitrogen fertilizer monthly during the growing season, applying about a tablespoon per square foot to prevent root burn. Early growth stages require consistent feeding, while mature plants need less. Avoid over-fertilization to prevent excessive growth at the expense of flowering.

Pruning: Bashful plant requires strategic pruning to manage its invasive growth. Trim stems in early spring to encourage bushiness and remove dead branches. Regular pruning shapes bashful plant and controls its spread, promoting a healthier structure. Use sterilized tools to avoid disease transmission.

Propagation: Bashful plant can be propagated via cuttings from healthy stems with leaves or nodes. Clean cuts and optional rooting hormone help, followed by placement in a moisture-retaining, well-draining medium. Indirect sunlight and steady humidity are essential for successful root development and establishment.

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Images of Bashful plant

Distribution of Bashful plant

Care Guide for Bashful plant

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