This document describes the characteristics of plants in the Fabaceae subfamily Mimosoideae. Key features include: - Herbs, shrubs, trees or vines that sometimes have spines or symbiotic nitrogen-fixing root nodules. - Leaves are usually compound with spiral arrangement and sometimes have pulvins or folding responses. - Flowers are bisexual or unisexual with 5 distinct petals or basally fused petals. Inflorescences are variable and bracteate. - Fruits are generally legumes but sometimes are winged, drupe-like or divided into partitions.

1. Fabaceae(Mimosoideae)

2. MimosoideaeConsists of herbs, shrubs, trees, or vines, with spines sometimes present

3. RootsSometimes have a symbiotic association with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which induce formation of root nodules

4. LeavesUsually compound - pinnate, bipinnate, trifoliolate, rarely palmatesometimes simple or unifoliolateusually spiral basal pulvini often presentleaflet folding responses (e.g., Mimosa spp.)Generally stipulate, sometimes stipellate

5. FlowersActinomorphic/ Radial

6. bisexual, sometimes unisexual

7. Corolla - typically 5- distinct petals-basally fused petals (valvate in bud)Hypanthium sometimes presentInflorescenceVariable, typically bracteate

8. FruitGenerally a legumesometimes indehiscent, winged (samara), drupe-like or divided into transverse partitions (loment)

9. AntherLongitudinal, rarely poricidal in dehiscence

10. GynoeciumUnicarpellousSuperior ovary1 (rarely 2 or more) carpel1 loculeStyle and stigma are solitaryMarginal placentationOvules are anatropous, bitegmicNectaries often present

11. AndroeciumStamens are numerous, distinct and basally fused

12. Mimosa Pudicaalso known as Makahiya, Sensitive plant, or Touch-me-notLeaves bipinnately compound, with 1 or 2 pinnaepairs, 10-26 leaflets per pinnaPedunculatepale pink or purple flower heads arise from leaf axils