Cook Islands Biodiversity & Natural Heritage
 

Mimosa invisa

Pikika‘a Papa‘ā (AK)

Giant Sensitive-weed

Multimedia & Additional Resources

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General Information

COMMON NAMES: Giant Sensitive-weed, Giant Sensitive-plant

TRADITIONAL NAMES: Pikika‘a Papa‘ā (AK); Other Polynesian - Vao Fefe Pālagi (SAM)

GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION: NATIVE tropical Americas

COOK ISLANDS STATUS: Introduced - Recent, Naturalised; S.Group only (AK only - common); Land, lowlands

SIGNIFICANCE LIST: ; Weed - very serious (Aitutaki only)

KEY FEATURES: A spreading shrub to 1.5m, covered in curved prickles. LEAVES alternate; twice compound; 3-8 leafstalks per leaf. LEAFLETS to 20 opposite pairs per leafstalk; thin-oval to oblong. FLOWERS held near stem; small bright-pink spiky globes. FRUIT held in clusters; flat & twisted pods, covered with bristles.

Enlarged Image of 'Mimosa invisa'

Cook Islands Distribution

View Distribution Map View Distribution Map

Southern Group: Present    Makatea: -
RR 
MG
AT
MK
MT
AK
PL
TK
MN
-
-
-
-
-
+++
-
-
-

Northern Group: -
TN 
MH
RK
PK
NS
SW
-
-
-
-
-
-

Key to Symbols

Scientific Taxonomy

Mimosa invisa Martius 1837
Query: Mimosa invisa Martius, 1837, non Martius ex Colla, 1834

SYNONYMS: Mimosa invisa var. invisa; Mimosa diplotricha C. Wright ex Sauvalle

TAXONOMY: PLANTAE; ANTHOPHYTA (=Angiospermae); MAGNOLIOPSIDA (=Dicotyledones); ROSIDAE; Fabales (Legumes); MIMOSACEAE

More Information

SIGNIFICANCE NOTES -
NEGATIVE SIGNIFICANCE: Weed - very serious (Aitutaki only). Comments: Rated at the biodiversity workshop on Aitutaki in 2001 as the worst agricultural weed on the island. Very extensive since 1990, but reduced by extensive control programme since 1994 involving mechanical and cropping controls and an introduced biocontrol. A 2001 survey showed it to still be present in most of the earlier areas by uncommon. Its accidental introduction to other island is a major concern.

Vouchers & References

Vouchers:
None Recorded.

References:
Special Reference: Whistler - 'Weeds Handbook...' p.50, description and photo.

p.3/062 A.C.Smith - Flora Vitiensis Nova

Data Update History (information):
zTX, zB02, zM02, zD02

Web Resources

Citation Information

McCormack, Gerald (2007) Cook Islands Biodiversity Database, Version 2007.2. Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust, Rarotonga. Online at http://cookislands.bishopmuseum.org. Copy citation to system clipboard
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