Mimosa pudica

Mimosa ( Mimosa pudica )

The mimosa ( Mimosa pudica ), also known as the modesty of the sensitive plant, a tropical plant species in the subfamily of the mimosa family ( Mimosoideae ) within the legume family is ( Fabaceae ). Often as ornamental trees cultivated acacia (Acacia ) are as designated as " mimosa " eg Acacia dealbata.

Description

The bashful sensitive plant is a subshrub; the plant woody in age down a bit. The long -stalked leaves are bipinnate with one to two Fiederpaaren first order and each 10 to 26 pairs of sessile leaflets 2nd order. 7-8 mm long stipules are present.

The mimosa performs Nastien, so by building the plant organs predetermined movements. The plant responds to vibration, rapid cooling or rapid heating, as well as on change in light intensity. Only the affected region of the plant by page collapsed. After a few minutes the collected branches and leaves stretch out again. Hence the English name "touch -me-not " or " Do not touch me " and the name comes " mimosig " or " oversensitive ". These movements are due to Turgorveränderungen. The turgor of the cells in the pulvini decreases. The pulvini are motor tissue at the leaf joints. Your cells lose potassium ions, to which water leaves the cells by osmosis way. Therefore, the leaf joints limp. Most turgor movements differ from the typical growth movements by their reversibility. However, turgor are only reversible, can if the osmotic pressure in the cells of the tissue movement after a certain period drop or rise again. Such changes can be found in some leaf stem joints pulling a daily periodic rise and fall of leaves after itself. The branches of the mimosa have protective spines. At night, the leaves also pull together ( in the " sleeping position " ) and do not react as strongly as in the day. A more detailed description of the movement mechanism is found in the genus articles of mimosa.

Are formed Vielblütige, little head shaped inflorescences with diameters of 8 to 10 mm. The flowers are pink. The petals are reddish. The stamens are pink and make the main part of the effect of the inflorescence from. Blooms from July to October. It is flat, structured, 12 to 18 mm long and 2-4 mm wide pulses with two to five segments. Propagation is by the light brown seeds.

All parts of the mimosa are variously referred to as harmful and incompatible, but is not listed as a poisonous plant. You should not be consumed and are inaccessible to children or pets.

Occurrence

The Mimosa pudica is native to South America. It grows both in the forest and in tropical and sub-tropical gardens and is spreading rapidly. Among other things, in southern European countries. It is an invasive plant.

Metaphorical meaning

The term mimosa is used metaphorically for a very delicate and sensitive (or recovering from an illness ) people.