All children in India know the Touch-me-not plant, "Mimosa pudica", of family Mimosaceae, which is sensitive to touch. If you touch the compound leaf, it folds and shuts. Only after a long time, will the leaves reopen.
Plant response to touch is referred to as 'Thigmonasty'. All the compound leaves and leaflets have specialised cells on the bases of the leaves/leaflets. These cells are balloon-like and contain a lot of water. The leaves and leaflets are balanced on these cells. If the leaves or leaflets are touched, water from these special cells disperses to adjoining cells. As these cells collapse due to loss of water, support to the leaves and leaflets is lost. This causes the leaves to droop down.
Plant response to touch is referred to as 'Thigmonasty'. All the compound leaves and leaflets have specialised cells on the bases of the leaves/leaflets. These cells are balloon-like and contain a lot of water. The leaves and leaflets are balanced on these cells. If the leaves or leaflets are touched, water from these special cells disperses to adjoining cells. As these cells collapse due to loss of water, support to the leaves and leaflets is lost. This causes the leaves to droop down.
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| Mimosa pudica pods and leaves |
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| Mimosa pudica flower |
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