What is the Mimosa Pudica?

Mimosa pudica is a creeping annual or perennial herb often grown for its curiosity value: the compound leaves fold inward and drops when touched or shaken, due to evolution from predators, re-opening minutes later. The species is native to South America and Central America. It has been introduced to many other regions and is regarded as an invasive species in Australia, South Asia and South East Asia and many Pacific Islands. It grows mostly in shady areas, under trees or shrubs. The curious thing about Mimosa pudica is the way that if a leaf is handled, no matter how gently, it almost immediately folds in on itself and the leaf-stalk reacts by dropping downward, taking the folded blade with it. This sometimes sets off a chain reaction, with several of the leaves falling onto one another, causing the apparent collapse of a whole small section. This collapse is merely temporary, though. After a short time – normally, about half an hour – the plant will be fully recovered.

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