Topic summary

Mimosoideae

Mimosoideae

The Mimosoideae are a traditional subfamily of trees, herbs, lianas, and shrubs in the pea family (Fabaceae) that mostly grow in tropical and subtropical climates. They are typically characterized by having radially symmetric flowers, with petals that are twice divided (valvate) in bud and possess numerous showy, prominent stamens.

Recent work on phylogenetic relationships has found that the Mimosoideae form a clade nested with subfamily Caesalpinioideae, and the most recent classification by The Legume Phylogeny Working Group refers to them as the Mimosoid clade within subfamily Caesalpinioideae. The group includes about 40 genera and 2,500 species.