Useful species of the genus Mimosa (Fabaceae-Mimosoideae) in Mexico

Abstract

By the number of species, Mimosa is the most important genus of Mimosoideae in Mexico; however, species of this genus have not been considered as important natural resources, due to the lack of ethnobotanic information. Based on the revision of herbarium collections (CODAGEM, ENCB, IEB, IMSSM, MEXU and UAMIZ) , of data base of useful plants in Mexico (Banco de Información Etnobotánica de Plantas Mexicanas, BADEPLAM, UNAM), specialized literature, as well as information obtained in the field, a compilation about uses of Mimosa species in Mexico has been done. A list of 32 species with local or regional uses is presented. Of these, 16 are used as fodder, 15 have medicinal use, 14 as fuel, 11 as living fences; other less frequent uses include construction material (6 species), meliferous (5), furriery (4), ornament l (3), edible (2), and agricultural tool (1).