Mimoseae

Pappa · Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 9:13 am Post subject: Mimoseae

Hi,

I've been growing an Anadenanthera colubrina for a few years. I'll give it's position in the family tree to help out a bit:

Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Mimosoideae
Infrafamily: Mimoseae
Genus: Anadenanthera
Species: A. colubrina

It's related to other leguminous trees like the Acacias and Mimosas (it was once classified as an Acacia), it is a tropical to subtropical tree.

It has small, attractive, compound leaves and I've just noticed that the trunk has a great taper and I've started thinking maybe, with a bit of work, it would make a good bonsai one day. It looks very similar to Albizia julibrissin (The Silk Tree).

As far as I can find out, no human being has ever tried to turn one of these trees into a bonsai. However, several South American Mimosas make good specimens and the somewhat different South African Acacias are also popular.

Any tips/ideas?

Pappa

Dick · Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 12:24 pm Post subject: Re: Mimoseae

Within the family of mimosae, there are several varieties of trees. They are all similar in their growing habits and will adapt to bonsai cultivation. You may not see the variety that you have in bonsai books/magazines, but there are mimosas that can be found. So I would recomment that you give it a try.

GioGio · Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 1:01 pm Post subject: Re: Mimoseae

mimosas are beautiful trees, especially when in flower, and the smell.... absolutely adorable. I used to live in Italy (Sardinia) where they grow in the wild and almost every garden has one. I've never tried to grow one myself, although I have thought about it several times. I don't know, I just have the funny feeling that they would struggle here in the UK. Keep us posted if you succeed, then perhaps I will try! Wink

Pappa · Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 2:26 pm Post subject: Re: Mimoseae

I've got a couple of Australian Acacia maidenii (Maiden's Wattle) which I grow (not as bonsai). Although, the growing tips have a habit of dying in the winter, they always grow again in spring.

The Anadenanthera is a bit more of a challenge, as it's not so hardy, but it is a strong grower.

Pappa