I wonder how many of you have been fortunate enough to see this wonderful plant...not only see it but to have touched its leaves and then watch them as they fold up before your very eyes.
This is Mimosa pudica which is commonly known as the Sensitive plant, touch-me-not plant, humble plant and shameful plant to name but a few, this plant is native to tropical America where it is found mostly as a weed but also enjoys widespread popularity as a house plant. It is a very popular plant around the world because it is enjoyed by many people as a curiosity due to its highly touch sensitive leaves.
The rapid movement of the plant is thought to be a defence system against herbivores, which may be deterred because of the plants dramatic response to touch, and if they are small can be dislodged as the leaves collapse.
Mimosa pudica is grown as an ornamental because its touch sensitive leaves create interest among adults and children alike which helps to inspire interest in plant life generally, it also has many traditional medicinal uses parts of the plant are pulped into a paste which is then rubbed on to people as a treatment for them suffering pains such as lumbago.
Below is a short video showing how the plant responds to being touched, bumped, hit and heated up, it also shows in time lapse the plant standing back up, as a horticulturist I still find this amazing...
This is Mimosa pudica which is commonly known as the Sensitive plant, touch-me-not plant, humble plant and shameful plant to name but a few, this plant is native to tropical America where it is found mostly as a weed but also enjoys widespread popularity as a house plant. It is a very popular plant around the world because it is enjoyed by many people as a curiosity due to its highly touch sensitive leaves.
The rapid movement of the plant is thought to be a defence system against herbivores, which may be deterred because of the plants dramatic response to touch, and if they are small can be dislodged as the leaves collapse.
Mimosa pudica is grown as an ornamental because its touch sensitive leaves create interest among adults and children alike which helps to inspire interest in plant life generally, it also has many traditional medicinal uses parts of the plant are pulped into a paste which is then rubbed on to people as a treatment for them suffering pains such as lumbago.
Below is a short video showing how the plant responds to being touched, bumped, hit and heated up, it also shows in time lapse the plant standing back up, as a horticulturist I still find this amazing...