Mimosa trees are stunning and quick-growing, so you may enjoy their benefits in your yard through beautiful shade and seclusion. However, are mimosa trees poisonous?
I will reveal the exact answer and provide helpful information to take advantage of the mimosa tree’s elements, such as flowers, leaves, and bark!
What Is a Mimosa Tree?
The mimosa tree, commonly referred to as the Persian silk tree, represents a legume that can potentially improve the quality of the soil in which it is planted.
The Persian name for this tree translates to “night sleeper,” In Japan, it is often called the “sleeping tree.” It’s due to the bipinnate leaves closing up tight during nighttime and in bad weather.
Leaves are bipinnate if split into two leaflets rather than having a single large leaf.
The clusters of mimosa tree blooms, which vary in shade from light to deep pink, resemble strands of silk. The seeds are protected by lengthy mimosa pods that grow to be around five to seven inches long.
So, when do mimosa trees bloom? From the spring until early summer, mimosa trees begin to show their beautiful blooms.
While the mimosa tree (scientific name Albizia julibrissin) is indigenous to eastern and southern Asia, it thrives in most climes throughout the United States.
It’s a fast-grower that can reach 30 feet tall, maybe even slightly higher.
Are Mimosa Trees Poisonous?
YES. Like locust trees, they are poisonous. Leaves and blooms from a mimosa tree are harmless, but the seeds and seed pods are poisonous to both animals and humans.
Dark pink blossoms make this decorative tree a popular choice. However, you should note that these plants contain poison.
Ingestion of any part of the mimosa tree, including its leaves that blooms to the seeds inside, may result in illness.
In that case, why do people keep planting these trees? Fortunately, the toxins found in mimosa trees are relatively weak and, at worst, may cause some moderate stomach upset if consumed in large quantities.
You probably won’t become sick by eating the leaves or seeds from these plants unless you consume a substantial amount of either.
However, it’s advisable to play things safe and not eat anything from a mimosa tree. Keeping children and pets away from these sensitive plants is particularly critical if they could be tempted to eat them.
Toxicity of Mimosa Tree
Toxic Seed Pods
The seedpod represents the fruit of the pink mimosa tree. The fruits of mimosas resemble pea pods since the beautiful tree is leguminous.
The surface becomes somewhat leathery and crunchy when dried.
The seeds scatter in the spring, but only after being subjected to harsh handling to break through their protective covering.
After blooming, the pink flowers give way to flat, 6-inch-long pods that mature between August and September.
Five to ten brown, oval seeds may be found in each pod and will stay viable until the right circumstances arise. Animal studies have demonstrated that the roots are poisonous.
Alkaloids And Vitamin B6
Alkaloids are compounds found in beautiful mimosa tree seeds. These seeds contain alkaloids that have the opposite effect of vitamin B6.
The production of neurotransmitters that carry impulses within nerve cells requires vitamin B6.
Because of the alkaloids’ antagonistic influence on vitamin B6, ingesting mimosa seed pods may cause tremors, contractions, and convulsions.
Those impacted may have difficulty moving around and behave strangely while turning or backing up. Extreme reactivity to stimuli, excessive salivation, and breathing difficulties have all been reported.
Most people start to feel sick between twelve and twenty-four hours after ingesting the seeds. Mimosa seed poisoning is mitigated with vitamin B6 injections in animals.
Nevertheless, symptoms may return in animals who consumed many seed pods as browse.
Symptoms Of Toxicity of Mimosa Tree and Warning
Symptoms
Within a few hours of intake, the neurotoxic induces seizures, shaking hands, astounding convulsions, and labored breathing.
Mimosa has a low toxicity score of 4 on the University of Arkansas’s list. Therefore it poses no threat to human health.
So, are mimosa trees poisonous to dogs? The town of Austin, Texas, has announced that the tree is deadly to dogs.
In the face of contradictory information, playing things safe and keeping kids and dogs apart from these trees is preferable.
Warning
In Texas, Florida, and various other warm-climate states, the mimosa is now a competitor for native species, and its potential toxicity isn’t the only problem.
Citizens are recommended to avoid putting the tree there. Instead, choose a less invasive ornamental species.
The tree should be cut down mechanically, and any sprouts should be removed as soon as they arise from the stump.
Medical Use of Mimosa Tree
Traditional medical practices involving Ayurveda or Chinese medicine have used mimosa bark, green leaves, and blossoms for ages.
The antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects of mimosa tree compounds have been well-documented.
Most individuals take a pill or tincture containing mimosa tree extract orally.
It also has a topical use, meaning it may be put on the skin. Typical applications for mimosa trees obtain the treatment of various skin ailments such as cuts, burns, insect bites, and psoriasis.
FAQs
What Happens When A Mimosa Plant Is Touched?
Mimosa, occasionally called the sensitive plant, responds negatively to human contact by collapsing its leaves and drooping its stems.
Are Mimosa Flowers Edible?
Yes, they are eaten. You can eat some of them, such as young leaves and fragrant flowers. The leaves and other mimosa plant components are used in many cuisines and medicinal preparations.
What Does Mimosa Tea Taste Like?
Day tea mimosas have all the beautiful features of a traditional mimosa, with the extra advantage of tea, making them the perfect cocktail for a lazy day or in the winter months.
It will be the talk of your breakfast with friends on a steamy day. Instead of competing with the champagne, the fruity sweetness of the tea enhances it.
Can You Make Tea With Mimosa Flowers?
Teas, oxymels, tinctures, and other preparations may be ingested using the blossoms. Making an oxymel is my go-to method for extracting medicinal value from the beautiful flowers and their sweet smell.
Conclusion
All in all, are mimosa trees poisonous? The exact answer is YES. Mimosa seeds and seed pods are toxic if ingested, causing fits and maybe death.
Whenever you, a loved one, or a pet has accidentally swallowed a seed or seed pod taken from a mimosa tree, get emergency medical assistance.
However, some parts of the mimosa deciduous tree, such as fresh leaves or fluffy flowers, can be used as a source of food. They can be used for medicine, too.
