Sensitive Plant -- Mimosa strigillosa

This Mimosa strigillosa is a pass along from my friend at work.  When she gave it to me, she warned me that I need to be careful if I ever decided to put it into the ground because it is nearly "indestructible".  I really listened to her, and kept it in a container :)

Botanical name: Mimosa strigillosa
Common names: Sunshine Mimosa, powderpuff, sensitive plant
Chinese name: 含羞草

It was selected as one of Florida Plants of the year in 2008 sponsored by FNGLA (Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association).

This is the characteristics listed in the Florida Gardening site for the reason that it is chosen as Florida Plants of the year.  You also can check it out to see other plants chosen for each year.

"This reliable and vigorous low-grower is native and drought tolerant growing in moist or dry soils. It produces pink ball-shaped flowers in warmer seasons which attract butterflies and provide butterfly larva with food. The foliage is delicate-looking with small compound leaves which draw back when touched, yet are durable enough to walk on, park on, drive on and even mow. In sun or shade, it grows best when well watered and grows well intermingled with sod. With virtually no major insect or disease problems, this ground cover is a winner!"

It is fun to see how all the leaves draw back when I water them, or when I touch them on purpose.

The flower only last for a day, but it flowers almost the all year long except the very cold weather.

Sometimes if I forgot to water it for a quite long time, all the leaves turned brown.  However it will soon bounce back after receiving a good rain or watering.  It is a tough little plant for sure!  Some says they use this as lawn alternatives.  For me, I am happy to just keep them in the container for added interest in the garden.