In nature there is a wonderful plant of extraordinary beauty that responds to the vibrations that surround it. Known as psychic or pudic mimosa, it is usually used to decorate house interiors for its soft and round colored flowers in the shape of a pompom.
The extraordinary reaction of the leaves that retract each time they are touched, gently, folding down, make this plant a real little gem furnishing.
The wonderful plant that responds to the vibrations that surround it
Whenever one touches a leaf of a sensitive plant, it has an extraordinary reaction. All the needles of the leaves come together to form a long spaghetti which, retracting downwards, touches the other leaves that have the same reaction.
This type of reaction is only momentary and after a few minutes the leaves return to their position. The mimosa pudica is very sensitive and touching the leaves several times can destabilize the plant by weakening it.
It can reach a maximum of 50 cm in height and its sensitivity is not really suitable for external winds and changes in temperature. This makes it perfect for growing in pots inside the home.
The plant is very similar to a mimosa (it is part of the mimosaceae), with a very branched stem covered with thin small leaves in the shape of sensitive soft needles. With the arrival of spring, the plant blooms with clusters of pink or lilac pompon-shaped flowers.
Why is the plant called sensitive or modest?
The name is not entirely coincidental. The reaction of the plant due to the brushing of the leaves, which retract and fold in on themselves, explains why it is “sensitive and modest”.
The characteristic contraction of the leaves at the slightest tactile stimulus is an optimal defense against predators, deceived by an apparently dead plant.
Furthermore, this spectacular feature is used in the hours of strong heat to limit the loss of liquids and to protect themselves from the wind.
–
