Definition

Noun: 1. A specific plant species: A prostrate or semi-erect subshrub native to tropical America and Australia. It is characterized by being heavily armed with recurved thorns and having sensitive, soft, grey-green leaflets that fold and droop in response to stimuli such as nightfall, touch, or cooling.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The mimosa pudica in the greenhouse quickly closed its leaves when I brushed against it.
  • Scientists study mimosa pudica to understand plant sensitivity and rapid movement.

Advanced Usage

• As a subject of study: The plant is frequently referenced in biological and botanical contexts for its unique rapid plant movement, known as thigmonasty or seismonasty.
  • The experiment focused on the electrophysiology of mimosa pudica.
• In common parlance: Often used as a prime example of a "sensitive plant."
  • For a demonstration of plant behavior, look no further than mimosa pudica.

Variants and Related Words

• Sensitive plant (n): The most common common name for .
• Touch-me-not (n): Another common name for this plant (though this name is also used for species).
• Shameplant (n): A common name derived from the leaf-folding reaction.
• Thigmonasty (n): The nastic (non-directional) movement response to touch or vibration, exemplified by .

Synonyms

• Sensitive plant (Primary synonym)
• Touch-me-not (Contextual synonym)
• Shameplant
• Humble plant

Related Phrases

• To exhibit sensitivity like the mimosa pudica: Used metaphorically to describe something or someone that reacts quickly and visibly to a slight stimulus.
  • The stock market has been acting like mimosa pudica, reacting sharply to every rumor.

Noun

1. prostrate or semi-erect subshrub of tropical America, and Australia; heavily armed with recurved thorns and having sensitive soft grey-green leaflets that fold and droop at night or when touched or cooled