The story for kids
The shy mimosa. Tap it and look: its leaves fold up right away! That's how it scares off bugs and animals. After a little while, the leaves open up again.
Facts
- Tap it and watch: its leaves fold up right away.
- That is how it scares off insects and animals.
- A little later the leaves open again.
Numbers
- Size
- 30–100 cm
- Grows in
- Warm countries
- Loves
- Sun
- Reproduces
- Seeds
For grown-ups
The leaves of the sensitive plant, Mimosa pudica, fold up because, when touched, water rapidly leaves special cells and they lose their pressure. This is a defence against plant-eating animals. Within a few minutes the pressure is restored and the leaves open again.