Mimosa pudica | |
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Flower head and leaves | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Subfamily: | Caesalpinioideae |
Clade: | Mimosoid clade |
Genus: | Mimosa |
Species: | M. pudica
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Binomial name | |
Mimosa pudica |
Mimosa pudica (also called sensitive plant, sleepy plant,[citation needed] action plant, humble plant, touch-me-not, touch-and-die, or shameplant)[3][2] is a creeping annual or perennial flowering plant of the pea/legume family Fabaceae. It is often grown for its curiosity value: the sensitive compound leaves quickly fold inward and droop when touched or shaken and re-open a few minutes later. For this reason, this species is commonly cited as an example of rapid plant movement. Like a number of other plant species, it undergoes changes in leaf orientation termed "sleep" or nyctinastic movement. The foliage closes during darkness and reopens in light.[4] This was first studied by French scientist Jean-Jacques d'Ortous.[5] In the UK it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[3][6]
The species is native to the Caribbean and South and Central America, but is now a pantropical weed, and can now be found in the Southern United States, South Asia, East Asia, Micronesia, Australia, South Africa, and West Africa as well. It is not shade-tolerant and is primarily found on soils with low nutrient concentrations.[7]