Mimosa diplotricha is an invasive perennial,
scrambling, thorny, leguminous shrub of neotropical origin widely acknowledged
as a major economic, agricultural and ecological burden in its introduced
ranges. Although the plant is thought to have been present in Nigeria for well
over two decades, its mode and time of introduction is uncertain. In spite of
the continuing spread of, and the menace caused by M. diplotricha in Nigeria, no attempt has been made to map the
distribution of the plant countrywide. Therefore, we conducted a countrywide
survey between 2007 and 2009, sponsored by the Weed Science Society of Nigeria
(WSSN) to determine the spread and status of Mimosa diplotricha in
Nigeria. A further objective of this paper was to review literatures on Mimosa diplotricha in Nigeria and
elsewhere to enable comparison. In this paper, we report on the spread,
distribution and problems of Mimosa
diplotricha in Nigeria based on the field monitoring surveys conducted. The
distribution of this invasive plant in Nigeria has been mapped and is presented
together with its ecology and problems being caused. Since the early 1990s, the
weed has started to spread and invade many parts of the country causing
significant damage to many natural and semi natural ecosystems. The different
control options used by farmers to control Mimosa
diplotricha in Nigeria are discussed. Based on the successful control of
this invasive plant using the biocontrol agent, Heteropsylla spinulosa in countries such as Australia and Papua New Guinea
(PNG), we discussed the biological control prospects for the management of Mimosa diplotricha in Nigeria. Such
control attempts stands to benefit from international collaborations between
Nigerian institutions and a host of others in Australia, PNG and/or Brazil.
Finally three major causes for the massive and continuing spread of this weed
in Nigeria are presented with recommendations for the Nigerian government and
institutions to: 1) formulate policies and legislations regarding the
control and management of invasive alien plant species which is currently nonexistent; 2) enlighten the general
public on the dangers of invasive alien plant species such as Mimosa diplotricha; and 3) initiate actions such as
early detection and rapid response (EDRR) and biological control in order to
prevent further spread of, and invasion by invasive plant species including Mimosa diplotricha.