Sensitive Plant (Mimosa pudica)
You might say this pretty little plant with its starry pink blossoms and fern-like leaves is shy. Reach out and touch it, or even just blow on it, and its leaves will close up as if startled or protecting themselves. When it’s disturbed, the stems release chemicals that force water out of the cells, which makes the leaves appear collapsed. It’s not known exactly why the plant has evolved to possess this trait, but scientists think it may be to scare off predators.
Fun Fact
Latin name of the plant, "Mimosa pudica", originates from unusual habit of the plant to shrink its leaves when touched ("pudica" means "bashful"). Mimosa is also known as sensitive plant, humble plant, touch-me-not, sleeping grass and shameful plant.
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