TOUCH ME NOT

Fascinating.....isn't it ?The other day I found this plant and started playing with it.Made a small video which I am sharing here with you guys. It brought back childhood memories :)

Am sure most of you must be knowing about this plant commonly known as touch me not.The botanical name is Mimosa Pudica. It's called by many other names as sensitive plant,shy plant,sleepy plant,praying plant,humble plant etc.

The plant's fern like leaves close when touched and go to sleep for sometime.They open up on their own after a few minutes.The leaves stay upright because the water in the cells apply a certain amount of force against the cell walls of the plant. When touched certain parts of the plant trigger a release of various chemical including potassium ions with in the plant. These chemicals make water and electrolytes diffuse out of the cells resulting in the loss of cell pressure. Hence the cells collapse and leaves close up. Even the stems go down when touched.

Touch me not is sensitive to heat and fire too.It mostly grows in shady areas.Beautiful pink fluffy flowers grow on the plant.

The extract of this plant is used as herbal medicines also.It is said to be beneficial for hypertension,asthma,diabetes,insomnia,hemorrhoids and many other health issues.

Hope you liked my short video.Love and peace :)