Mimosaceae

Bipinnate, often fern-like leaves, sometimes touch-sensitive; tiny radially symmetrical flowers pack into dense spherical or cylindrical heads, where a burst of numerous long stamens — not the petals — creates the fluffy visual effect.

Many species fix atmospheric nitrogen through root-nodule bacteria, and several carry stipular thorns or thigmonastic (touch-folding) leaflets, as in the sensitive plant Mimosa pudica.

To check whether a plant belongs to Mimosaceae, compare the leaf arrangement, leaf type, flower symmetry, fruit type, and one distinctive marker together. A single feature can mislead; the family pattern is the combination.