Mimosa Research Paper

Invasive Species
Mimosa

Today, there are hundreds of different forms of invasive species. These include plants, animals, and pathogens. Specifically one type of invasive plant species is mimosa. Mimosa is, obviously a plant, a tree that can grow 10 to 50 feet in height. (invasive.org) It has feathery leaves and showy pink blossoms. (invasive.org) It is found along water banks and prefers open conditions. Mimosa is native to Asia, occurring from Iran and Japan. (invasive.org) It came to America to be used for decoration as a tradition ornamental around 1785. (invasive.org) Geographically, mimosa has been invasive to areas like, wetlands, river edges, and gazing/pastural land. It seems to be a problem in almost every country. (issg.org) Mimosa has a strong impact on native species. For example, mimosa grows tall and in thick …show more content…
Mimosa is difficult to control because the extent of infestations and its aggressiveness. Some attempts made include fires, chemical control, and biological control. Fire control does not prevent re-sprouting of plants, and kills only the surface seeds not the buried ones. (Marko, conservancy.umn.edu) Chemical control uses herbicides to control mimosa and have served somewhat useful. Biological control is the most cost-effective and long-term. (Marko, conservancy.umn.edu) The mimosa does have natural predators. Spider mites, for example, puncture the plant cells. (fifthgraderrainforestweebly.html) Mimosa webworms act as spiders by tangling and choking the mimosa plant. (fifthgraderrainforestweebly.html) Lastly, a predator of mimosa is acacia psyllid are small insects that suck up the plant juices. (fifthgraderrainforestweebly.html) The predators listed may be small, but they have large impact on mimosa life and can help control the it. Predators could cause additional problems if they began to overspread and populate after controlling mimosa.

Show More

Related Documents: Mimosa Research Paper

Final Paper 2