A demonstration of sensitive plants or Mimosa Pudica, which respond to heat and touch. It’s clearly a plant that’s captured peoples’ imaginations as it goes by many other names: touch-me-not, humble plant, shameful plant, sleeping grass…
Wikipedia on the plants ability to move:
It is not known exactly why Mimosa pudica evolved this trait, but many scientists think that the plant uses its ability to shrink as a defense from predators. Animals may be afraid of such a fast moving plant and would rather go and eat a less active one.
this was my favorite plant as a child. i could watch it close and open for hours, it seemed. it can be found all over the hawaiian island of oahu, where i attended preschool. it’s really a lovely plant.
November 17, 2009 @ 3:52 pm