Does the Mimosa Tree Have White Flowers?

Flowers and Fruit

• The Alba mimosa tree blooms between May and July with terminal clusters of pom-pom or powder puff-like flowers at the base of the twigs. The highly fragrant, white flowers attract honey bees. The flowers are about 2 inches in diameter and are followed by 6-inches-long, flat pods, characteristic of plants from the legume family. Each pod contains five to 10 light brown, 1/2-inch, oval seeds that stay on tree all through the winter.

Description

• With a mature height of 15 to 25 feet, the deciduous mimosa tree has a light brown, smooth bark and light green young stems that eventually turn brown. The compound, featherlike, alternate foliage is up to a foot long. Mimosa tree has a rapid growth rate and develops an airy, umbrella like, mature canopy. The branches have an arching growth habit.

Traits

• Mimosa tree has a vigorous growth habit and reproduces prolifically along roads and in disturbed sites. Though initially cultivated in the southeastern regions of the United States, mimosa has escaped cultivation and is naturalized in a number of areas. Given its fast spread and excessive seed production, mimosa is classified as a Category II invasive plant by the Exotic Pest Plant Council of Florida, and is considered invasive in other states as well. The opportunist plant easily displaces native species and is well adapted even in contaminated, poor land, producing dense stands with its resistance to damage and ability to resprout.

Cultural Requirements

• Plant the mimosa tree in an area of full sun for best growth. The tree is also tolerant of partial sun and drought. Mimosa adapts to a wide range of soil types including alkaline. The hardy tree thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture planting zones 6 to 9 and grows well even in neglectful growth conditions. The tree is easy to propagate with seed with prior scarification. To scarify seed nick with a nail file and soak for a few minutes in boiling water before planting.