The term ‘sensitive plant’ often refers to Mimosa pudica Linn., a species within the subfamily Mimosoideae of the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family. However, for clarity, it’s worth mentioning that there are other plants sometimes colloquially called ‘shy plants’ or ‘touch-me-nots’. This detailed description focuses on M. pudica along with a clarification regarding another species, Agastache rugosa.
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Mimosa pudica Scientific Name: Mimosa pudica Linn. English Common Names: Sensitive Plant, Touch-me-not, Shameplant
Native to tropical regions in South America, Mimosa pudica is a perennial herbaceous plant or subshrub belonging to the Mimosaceae subfamily under the Legume family. Characterized by its distinctive thigmonastic response, the plant rapidly folds its leaves and droops when touched – a trait which has earned it the common name ‘Sensitive Plant’. Its compound leaves consist of numerous small leaflets arranged pinnately, while pink or purple flowers cluster into spherical inflorescences. Flowering typically occurs between March and October, followed by fruiting from May through November. Globally, Mimosa pudica has been widely cultivated as an ornamental due to this unique behavior and thrives in warm, humid environments, spreading quickly where introduced.
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Agastache rugosa Scientific Name: Agastache rugosa (Fisch. & C.A.Mey.) O.Ktze. Chinese Common Names: Dogtooth Violet Grass, Xiangru, Five-veined Wormwood, etc.
It should be noted that although mentioned, Agastache rugosa is not actually a part of the true ‘sensitive plants’; rather, it belongs to the Lamiaceae family, specifically the genus Agastache. Known commonly as Korean Mint, this plant is indigenous to various parts of China, extensively distributed across provinces such as Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Sichuan, Chongqing, Yunnan, Guangxi, Xinjiang, and Tibet. Unlike Mimosa pudica, Agastache rugosa does not exhibit the characteristic leaf-closing response to external stimuli.
In summary, Mimosa pudica is renowned worldwide for its touch sensitivity and has extended its distribution from its native South American tropics to subtropical areas globally; conversely, Agastache rugosa, despite any potential confusion with the name ‘sensitive plant’, is a member of the Lamiaceae family and a prevalent medicinal and ornamental plant found across multiple regions in China. Both species differ significantly in taxonomy but share cultural associations with the concept of ‘shyness’ in different contexts.