Mimosa Pudica (Shyness Grass): Sensitive Herbal Medicinal Plant & Nuisance for Gardens

Mimosa Pudica (Other names known around the world: Sensitive Plant, Sleeping Grass, Makahiya, Tickle Me Plant, Shame Plant, Prayer Plant, and Touch-me-not 1) or 'shyness grass' (Chinese name for this plant) annual or perennial herb plant. Fascinating leaves of the plant fold inward and droop when touched (re-opening within minutes 1). Sensitive Plant listed on many early nineteenth-century seed lists and Thomas Jefferson planted seeds of the herb in 1811. 10

"Mimosa pudica is native to South America, Brazil, and Central America." Sleeping Grass has been introduced to many tropic and sub-tropical regions. Herbal plant provides medicinal properties but grows as noxious weed in many places including South & South East Asia, pacific islands, and Australia. 2 Also grows in regions of Alabama, Florida, California, Hawaii, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Texas and Puerto Rico.10 Mimosa Pudica herbal plant stems grow up to five feet tall, prickly, and appears to have 10 - 26 leaflets per stem. Stems appear to branch out in different directions. Seeds of the plant are incased in fruit clusters of pods 2 - 3 measuring 1 - 2 centimeters. Bristles on the seed pod are flat and briskly which cling to clothes.2 Small flowers of the herbal plant are red in the upper part with pink to lavender filaments. "The plant flowers in mid to late summer." 9 Entire plant including the roots and leaves processed through decoction (boiling) treat various health concerns or ailments. 3

Mimos Pudica prefers full sun light and dislikes root disturbance & over - watering. Herbal plant adopts well growing in wastelands. 2 Recommend soil mixer: Two parts peat moss to two parts loam to 1 part sand or perlite. Plant grows well when fertilizer is diluted with half the strength recommended on the label. Yellow leafs and stems may appear if the plant is subjected to temperatures below 65 degree Fahrenheit. 9 Sensitive Plant predominantly grown indoors as an annual and groundcover. 4 In middle England the herbal plant is commonly grown indoors as a houseplant. 10

Severe consequences growing Mimose Pudica outdoors: Becomes a notorious weed or dense enough preventing the reproduction of other species, treated with chemical herbicides such as dicamba. "A very annoying weed in North Australia where it spreads in lawns - very 'ouch' if you walk on them barefooted." 10 Also, herbal plant is a fire hazard when dry. 2

Sleeping Grass has nyctinastic and seismonastic movement. Nyctinastic movement occurs during the evening (or exposed to flame 7) when the leaflets of plant fold together (whole leaf drops down reaction absence of light), and re-opens at crack of dawn. Seismonastic movement occurs when leaves are stimulated to close upon touch, warmth or shaking. "The stimulus can also be transmitted to neighbouring leaves." 2 Traditionally the herbal plant: "A very popular ornamental due to its ability to closed the leaves upon being touched." 7

Roots of the Mimosa Pudica are washed and cleaned. Then roots are boiled into pot of water made into a tea. The liquid drink helps to eliminate kidney stones or kidney disorder. 4 The root is considered an aphrodisiac. Ingredients of herbal plant: Ash, calcium oxalate crystals, mimosin, and tannin. 5

Mimos Pudica leaves are boiled (Decoction) in water for a half hour and drank hot or cold for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. 4 Also, the concussion of boiled leaves drank to treat sore throat, hoarseness, urinary complaints and hypertension. 3 "It tastes good unlike other herbal plants that taste bitter." 4 "Bruised leaves applied to bruises." 3

Seeds of the Prayer Plant used as a substitute to make coffee. 3 Herbal plant propagates from seeds selected when the plant reaches ten centimeters and summer cuttings. 7 Recommended seeds socked at least two hours or overnight before planting 1/8 inch deep. 6

Insect infestation of Cochineals inside Mimosa Pudica herb plant recommend removing them using cotton stem or swab soaked with alcohol. If the infestation becomes undaunted recommend discarding the plant and not re-using the pot or ground soil. 8

Mimosa pudica or Tickle Me Plant available for purchase: Educational product and novelty gift stores. 2 Also, available for purchase at garden centers and online web-sites: http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/11258277/_Sensitive_Plant_Seeds_Mimosa_pudica.html

(Before and after being touched pictures)

Pharmaceutical companies investigating the Mimosa pudica herbal plant treat a variety of medical concerns. (7): Including Antifertility, antivenonom (common snake venom), preventing malaria, ovarian cancer, and other tumors. 3

Ingesting any part of the Mimosa pudica herb plant raw or without decoction could be toxic. 7

References:

1.) makahiya: the sensitive plant - http://www.flickr.com/photos/eelssej_/2180574274/

2). Mimosa Pudica (Makahiya) - http://findmeacure.com/2008/11/17/mimosa-pudica/

3.) Makahiya - http://www.stuartxchange.com/Makahiya.html

4.) Makahiya or Tickle Me or Sensitive Plant (Mimosa Pudica) - http://www.healthmad.com/Alternative/Effective-and-Natural-Medicines-That-Can-Treat-Kidney-Disorders-and-Other-Diseases.226451

5.) What elements are present in makahiya roots? - http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070224015622AAN3q2W

6.) Mimosa pudica - http://www.dianeseeds.com/mimosa-pudica.html

7.) MIMOSA PUDICA - http://www.bio.miami.edu/mimosa/mimosa.html

8.) Mimosa pudica - http://www.webgardenguide.com/Mimosa_pudica_3241_569_2.html

9.) Mimosa pudica Sensitive Plant - http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week147.shtml

10.) PlantFiles:Touch-me-not, Tickleme Plant, Tickle Me Plant - Mimosa pudica -

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2573/