A detailed introduction to the appearance and characteristics of the sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica)
The sensitive plant has unique characteristics and gives a lovely, cheerful feeling, making it very suitable for home decoration. Next, let us take a look at the appearance and characteristics of the sensitive plant.
Introduction to the appearance of the sensitive plant
The sensitive plant is a spreading, subshrub-like herb, and its plant height can reach 1 m. The stem is cylindrical, branched, with scattered, downward-curving hooked prickles and reversed bristles. The stipules of the sensitive plant are lanceolate, 5-10 mm long, with bristles. When external force touches the pinnae and leaflets, it closes and droops. The pinnae are usually 2 pairs, arranged finger-like at the top of the common petiole, 3-8 cm long. The sensitive plant has 10-20 pairs of leaflets, linear-oblong, 8-13 mm long and 1.5-2.5 mm wide, acute at the apex, with bristles along the margins.
The capitulum of the sensitive plant is spherical, about 1 cm in diameter, with a long peduncle, solitary or 2-3 borne in the leaf axils of the sensitive plant. The flowers of the sensitive plant are relatively small, pale red in color, and numerous. The bracts are linear, the calyx is very small, the corolla is campanulate, with 4 lobes, covered with short pubescence on the outside. Inside the flower there are 4 stamens, extending beyond the corolla, the ovary has a short stalk and is hairless; 3-4 ovules, the style is filiform, the stigma is small. After the sensitive plant blooms, it forms pods; the pods are oblong, about 1-2 cm long, flattened, and slightly curved. Its flowering period is from March to October each year, and its fruiting period is from May to November.
Characteristics of the sensitive plant
The sensitive plant is different from other plants because when it is touched by the outside world, the petiole droops and the leaflets close. It is because of this characteristic that it is called the sensitive plant. The sensitive plant is supported internally by a fine, network-like protein called "actin." When closing occurs, the phosphate in its actin falls off. If the sensitive plant absorbs a compound that prevents phosphate from falling off, it will not change when touched. Generally, actin is found only in animals, but among plants, the sensitive plant contains this substance. When the leaves of the sensitive plant are touched, they immediately close up. The greater the force of the touch, the faster they close, and the entire leaf droops, looking weak and listless. The whole action is completed in just a few seconds. This is because the leaves and petioles of the sensitive plant have a special structure. This structure is very sensitive to stimulation.
Uses of the sensitive plant:
Uses of the sensitive plant: 1. Ornamental
The sensitive plant has a scattered plant shape, and its feathery leaves are slender and elegant. Its leaflets close as soon as they are touched; the sensitive plant has many flowers and is delicate and pretty, charming and moving, giving people an impression of fragility and elegance. It can be planted in the ground at the corner of a courtyard, or grown in a pot on a windowsill or desk. When giving flowers, gently cover the potted plant with pink gauze and tie it with a pink ribbon bow. If it can also be decorated with pink mohair pom-poms, it will be even more interesting.
Uses of the sensitive plant: 2. Weather forecasting
The sensitive plant is a wonderful plant that can foretell changes between sunny and rainy weather. If you touch it with your hand and its leaves close quickly, while opening very slowly, this indicates that the weather will turn clear; if when you touch the sensitive plant its leaves contract slowly, droop slowly, or even close slightly and then reopen, this indicates that the weather will turn from clear to overcast or that it is about to rain.
Uses of the sensitive plant: 3. Earthquake prediction
According to Turkish seismologist Ercan, several hours before a strong earthquake occurs, the leaves of the sensitive plant, which are sensitive to external touch, suddenly shrink and then wither. In earthquake-prone Japan, scientists have found through research that under normal conditions, the leaves of the sensitive plant open during the day and close at night. If the leaves of the sensitive plant show the abnormal phenomenon of closing during the day and opening at night, it is a precursor to an earthquake.
Uses of the sensitive plant: 4. Medicinal use
It has effects such as clearing heat and promoting diuresis, resolving phlegm and relieving cough, calming the nerves and relieving pain, detoxifying, dissipating blood stasis, stopping bleeding, and astringing. It is used for colds, high fever in children, acute conjunctivitis, bronchitis, gastritis, enteritis, urinary stones, malaria, and neurasthenia; externally it is used to treat bruises and swelling pain, sores and swellings with toxin, hemoptysis, and herpes zoster.
The above is all the content I have summarized for everyone on the appearance and characteristics of the sensitive plant. I hope this article can help everyone. Please also continue to follow us.