Fourvalve Mimosa
Mimosa quadrivalvis
Last reviewed: September 2026
Mimosa quadrivalvis is a low, thorny, trailing shrub that thrives in dry, sunny prairies, sandy fields, and roadsides across the central and southeastern United States, blooming with round pink flower clusters from May through August.
Toxicity unknown
Fourvalve Mimosa (Mimosa quadrivalvis) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–48" H × 12"–36" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AL, AR, CO, FL and 24 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Fourvalve mimosa is a low-growing native shrub with delicate, feathery foliage and small pink puffball flowers. This drought-tolerant plant blooms from late spring through summer and goes dormant in winter. It naturally forms a compact mound that works well in xeriscaped gardens.
Growing Fourvalve Mimosa
Grow Fourvalve Mimosa in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 48 inches tall and spread 12 to 36 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Fourvalve Mimosa takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Looks weedy and bare when dormant
- Common name 'mimosa' may confuse with invasive tree
- Informal growth habit appears unmanicured
Wildlife value
The small pink flowers attract native bees and butterflies throughout the long blooming season. Seeds provide food for quail and other ground-feeding birds.
Common questions
- What growing conditions does Mimosa quadrivalvis need?
- It does best in full sun with dry, well-drained soil, which suits the open prairies, sandy fields, and roadside habitats where it commonly grows.
- When does Mimosa quadrivalvis bloom?
- It flowers from May through August, producing small round pink flower heads on trailing, prickly stems.
- What pollinators visit Mimosa quadrivalvis?
- Bees and butterflies are its main pollinators, visiting the pink puffball blooms during the summer flowering months.
- How much water does Mimosa quadrivalvis require?
- It has low water needs and tolerates dry conditions well, which fits its typical habitat in sandy or gravelly, quick-draining soils.
- Is Fourvalve Mimosa HOA-friendly?
- Fourvalve Mimosa takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Fourvalve Mimosa? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz