Sensitive plant, Touch-me-not
Mimosa pudica
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A low spreading shrub. The branches are hairy and prickly. The leaves are sensitive to touch. The leaves are 2.5 cm long and the stalks are grooved and prickly. There re 1-2 pairs of pinnae with 12-20 pairs of leaflets on each. These are 6-8 mm long and 5-6 mm wide. The flowers are in almost round heads. They are yellow on stalks about 2 cm long. The heads are 6-8 mm across. They occur singly or in pairs along the branches. The fruit is a broad, flat, curved pod. It is 12-18 mm long.
Also as Mimosaceae.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. In China it grows between sea level to 1,500 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Australia, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Central America, China, Christmas Island, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Fiji, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indochina, Jamaica, Korea, Laos, Lesser Antilles, Madagascar, Maldives, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, Slovenia, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies (country/location of origin), West Timor
How it is used for food
The flowers are crystallised. They are also used in the preparation of distilled flower water.
It is sold in local markets in China.
Edible parts
Flowers, leaves, leaves - tea
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Buhari jhar, Chui mui, Kaimatuu, Kaya, Ladhugas, Lajuli, Lajwanti, Macco, Mouku matiotio, Nam-ya-haiawn, Sramežljiva mimoza, Tikayon, Trinhnu, Xiao li cao