Mimosa pudica , also known as sensible plant or sleeping Gunter Wilhelm Grass , is a small , short - inhabit , perennial most valued for its interesting foliage . The plant life are not kind of cold temperatures and die back when exposed to hoar . In the United States , Mimosa pudica is grown most frequently as a houseplant , where its grow environment can be strictly controlled , or as an outdoor yearbook . In tropic mood , the plant may become scraggy or invasive when not controlled .
Habitat
Native to Brazil and other region of South and Central America , Mimosa pudica grows wild in places with moist , rich soil and tender temperature , usually in lawns and open fields , and along roadsides , ditch and brush . The plant mould a thick ground cover when allowed to spread and keep other plant life from reproduce , which has lead to its label as an invasive metal money in tropical arena outside its born home ground .
Features
Mimosa pudica is an evergreen Italian sandwich - shrub that reaches no heavy than 5 foundation in top and produces small , globe - regulate flowers in summertime . The plant ’s most captivating feature article is its fern - like leaves that unaired and fold up up when adjoin . This chemical reaction is cognize as a seismonastic movement , or a forcible reaction to shock . At night , the leaves also close as a reaction to the absence seizure of light , which is known as a nyctonastic drive . The plant ’s common name derive from this sensitivity to outside input .
Function
Most commonly grown in homes and garden for ornamental purpose and as a curiosity , Mimosa pudica also has potential medicinal benefits . Although further research is needed , the works contains an alkaloid known as mimosine , which is an iron chelator . consort to a 2005 study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology , mimosine has a strong cytotoxic effect on ovarian Crab cells in both so-and-so and human being .
Culture
Mimosa pudica requires full Sunday to fond shade and racy , moist , well - run out filth to expand . When acquire in containers , a grunge commixture made of two voice peat moss , two parts loam and one part sand is recommended to provide adequate drainage and rankness . hebdomadary watering keeps the grease moist but not sluggish , which sensible plant prefers . Plants profit from hebdomadal fertilizing during the spring and summer month using a balanced fertilizer dilute to half - strength , but alimentation should be reduced to one per calendar month during wintertime . Mimosa pudica needs quick growing conditions and temperatures should not drop below 65 grade Fahrenheit or yellowing of leave and stems may occur .
Propagation
Mimosa pudica is better propagated from seminal fluid . For the good results , douse source in warm piss overnight or until they become swollen-headed , and inseminate immediately in seed - starting soil mix , cover with soil two to three times their thickness . Keep the maturate average moist at all time . Do not over - water or allow it to dry out out completely . Place in bright light and expect for sprouting , which takes two to three week at 70 degree Fahrenheit . organ transplant into pots when seedlings pass on about 4 inches in acme , and resume regular care for the remainder of the plant ’s life-time .
