Mimosa somnians explained

Mimosa somnians, commonly known as dormideira, is a species of woody shrub in the genus Mimosa and the family Fabaceae. It is native to the Caribbean, Central America and South America. It is a short, low-lying shrub with minuscule thorns lining its stem-like hairs.[1]

Mimosa somnians is notable for exhibiting rapid plant movement. Its leaves are sensitive to tactile stimulus, folding quickly when touched, similar to Mimosa pudica.[2] It can be differentiated from Mimosa pudica in that its leaves are bipinnate, there are more than four subbranchlets and these originate from more than one point on the branch.[2]

Mimosa somnians leaflets are 4 - 5 mm long.[1] The flowers form pink balls.[1] It propagates by seeds.[2]

Forms, subspecies and varieties

Uses

In Guyana, it is used to calm down irritable children via washing.[3]

Chemical constituents

Mimosa somnians contains (whole plant) about 0.029% tryptamine and about 0.029% methyltryptamine.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Full text of "Flora of Yucatan". 2008-05-08.
  2. Web site: Translated version of http://laflor.ifas.ufl.edu/Weeds%20of%20CR/cd/MALEZAS/leguminosas/Mimosa%20somnians.html. 2008-05-08.
  3. http://www.mnh.si.edu/biodiversity/bdg/medicinal/medplantsgui3.pdf Medicinal Plants of the Guianas (Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana)
  4. 10.1021/np50002a017. The Occurrence of Tryptamine and N-Methyltryptamine in Mimosa somnians. Journal of Natural Products. 42. 2. 234–236. 1979. Gupta. M. P.. Arias. T. D.. Etheart. J.. Hatfield. G. M.. 27802381.

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