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Shy Princess

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Mimosa Pudica is one of the plants that have seismonastic, thigmonastic and also nictynastic movements discussed in the 'Power of Movement in Plants' by Charles Darwin. The book provides evidence for the theory of natural selection by Darwin himself and was published in November 1880 by the publisher, John Murray. Mimosa Pudica or 'Ojigi-So' as in Japanese, meaning greeting weed, while Indonesians call it 'Putri Malu', meaning shy princess. This 'shy princess' has been my favorite plant till today. I classify it as a plant that communicates.


The movement of plants always has meaning. It is us that gives the meaning. Japanese say the Ojigi-So bows every time we touch it. Indonesians think that Putri Malu always nods as if it nods shy every time we touch it. Mimosa Pudica is so sensitive, it is said that the movement is to avoid danger from animals and some insects, because animals are scared of plants that move. Mimosa Pudica bows, nods or closes its leaves and hangs down in response to light, darkness, wind, vibration, touch, and also responds to electrical stimulation. (Bose, 1918). So, you can have Mimosa Pudica in your room as a motion sensor or an electrical hazard sensor in the daytime. 😀 


I remember in elementary school, every time I touched Mimosa Pudica too roughly like a bully kid who was excited to see the foldable leaves, I got hurt by its thorns. Actually, the meaning of the shy princess movement was so obvious, she had a message, "Don't touch me!"

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