Have You Ever Heard Of Touch Me Not Plant?

Movements by plants have always fascinated people. Did you know that written accounts describing movement by a plant in response to touch have been documented to be over 2000 years old. Now that's something!

And the best example is none other but the sensitive plant, which is one of the more unusual plants that you will ever find! This unusual plant moves when touched or stroked. Amazing, isn’t it?

However, the story goes like this: Once upon a time, some plants in the pea family have decided to be different and set apart from the rest of the plant world. And believe it or not, they are actually quite successful in that. Whenever they feel that they are in the danger zone, they close up their leaves and stems.

The sensitive plant aka Mimosa pudica is actually a tropical weed that comes from South and Central America.

The sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica) goes under the name of the Humble plant, Shame plant, Shy plant, Sleeping grass, Prayer Plant, and Touch-me-not. Although native to Central and South America, this plant can be found in most tropical climes, usually in disturbed land around construction sites, orchards and agricultural land. In some countries it is classed as an invasive.

However, you are probably still wondering why do they do it? Well let me explain you why. As many other species, these plants had to come up with a clever way to protect themselves from animals and insects, as they can’t run away and hide, can they? So they’ve decided that the best way to do it is by collapsing their leaves and stems. Clever, hah?

But don’t you worry. It's not like they stay up closed forever. After an hour or so they open up again. Another addition to these sensitive plants are their fluffy, pink powder-puff flowers that bloom during summer time.

Fun facts: The sensitive plant also comes in quite useful if you get bitten by a monocled Cobra snake as the extracts from the roots can be used to counteract the venom.

General facts: This plant can move – its leaves fold up at night and also when touched. It has a primitive nervous system of electrical impulses that trigger changes in cell water pressure at the base of the leaflets.

So, in case you're still wondering whether this story is true and whether these plants actually exist you should see for yourself. I might be wrong, but I'm almost sure that you've never seen something like that before!