Flower Profile: Mimosa

 

Family:    Fabaceae

Genus:     Acacia
Species:   Acacia dealbata

 

A delicate yellow heart with sweet powdery fragrance. With their sunny nature and ability to add a ton of beauty, you don’t need much more than a waving cloud of mimosa in a single vase to make a floral statement in your home. 

 

Origin

 

Mimosa or Acacia dealbata is found all over the world, from Australia to South Africa, where they stand out on tall bushes, brilliant against the blue sky. There are different varieties, such as Clair de Lune, Floribunda and Lungi Flora. They all have delicate yellow floral pom-poms. Like lilac, hydrangea and viburnum, mimosa is a woody plant.

 The name is derived from the Greek “mimos,” which means an “actor” or “mime,” while the suffix means “resembling.” This is likely because the leaves are said to mimic conscious life.

Symbolism

It has become the flower of International Women's Day in North America. Behind the gesture of giving this flower to women, there is a historical reason: in 1946, two activists – Rita Montagna and Teresa Mattei – fighting for equality of women suggested to celebrate the first Women's Day after the war by offering branches of mimosa to other women as a sign of respect and support.

 

One of the most common yellow flowers used in symbolic poetry and other messaging, the mimosa flower typically represents the sun. In the Meaning of Flowers, it can be used to symbolize the nature of secret love – nobody knows that I love you! – or it can be used to symbolize increased sensitivity or safety, too.

 

Mimosa leaves hung downcast
Someone’s shadow nearby passed
Brushed the leaves with shadowy caress
Caused the foliage to repress
What secrets did the mimosa suppress?

By Nazia Islam

 

Love this sunny bloom? Find more inspiration with this post: A yellow arrangement for my poet's daffodils.