Mimosa bush identification
Mimosa bush is a rounded shrub or small tree generally growing 1–3 m tall. It often forms thorny thickets, and is nearly always multi-stemmed. The branches grow in a zigzag shape and are usually a grey-brown colour with prominent white spots.
Leaves are a ferny type, with one to six pairs of leaf ‘branches’ each with five to 20 pairs of narrow, rounded leaflets 4–8 mm long. Leaves are sometimes more of a yellowish green than a pure green. Thorns are found in pairs at the base of each leaf and can grow up to 10 cm long.
The flowers are round, golden yellow to orange, about 1 cm across, and grow on stalks at the base of each leaf. Flowers develop into clusters of cigar-shaped pods, slightly curved and up to 6 cm long. The pods are dark brown or black and woody at maturity.
Mimosa bush can spread readily and grow quickly. It can be a considerable nuisance during mustering and can also hinder stock access to water.