98 MIMOSA FAMILY 



of delicately scented pink blossoms, and at night fold 

 their tiny leaflets in so-called sleep. Touch a stem, and 

 every leaf and leaflet along its prickly length droops im- 

 mediately. So sudden is the movement, and so strange, 

 that it was once fancied to be a protective device, by 

 means of which injurious insects and animals would be 

 frightened away, but such theories, though tempting to 

 a facile imagination, are of extremely doubtful value. 



The flowers, like others of this family, depend for their 

 display on the long stamens. The calyx is minute, and 

 the tiny five-lobed corolla is inconspicuous, but the flowers 

 are densely crowded together in globular heads, which seem 

 like pink balls of delicate stamens. 



Morongia angustata. Flowers bright pink, minute, in 

 stalked, globular heads about % in. in diameter, from leaf- 

 axils. Stamens usually 10. Seedpods prickly, narrow, 2-6 

 in. long. Stems prostrate, prickly, 2-6 ft. long. Leaves twice- 

 pinnate, of many tiny leaflets. Dry soil. Blooming from 

 late winter to fall. Fla. to Va., Texas, and Tenn. 



Morongia uncinata. Similar to above species, differing 

 chiefly in prominent veining of lower surface of leaflets. 



Sensitive Plant. Mimosa (Genus Mimosa) 



This sensitive-leaved mimosa grows in damp places, 

 where its stems spread over the ground, bearing delicate 

 leaves of many small leaflets, and erect flowering-stalks 

 tipped with minute pink flowers in headlike spikes. Un- 

 like the sensitive briar, it is not prickly but is more or less 

 roughened with stiff hairs. 



The noted sensitive plant, Mimosa pudica, the subject 

 of many interesting experiments, belongs to this genus. 

 It is easily grown in Florida, and in some places is be- 

 coming naturalized. 



Mimosa strigillcsa. Flowers pink, minute, crowded in long- 

 stalked, oblong heads, about 1 in. long, from leaf-axils. 



