What I Learned From the Sensitive Plant

The sensitive plant, formally known as Mimosa pudica, has many different names. It is also recognized as the bashful plant, the shy plant, the humble plant, the touch-me-not, and many more names. I was fascinated by this plant when I saw it during some of the hiking trips growing up in Hong Kong. Even the slightest touch on one of the little leaves among the row of leaves, the whole row of leaves and the leaves on the opposite side of the same small branch will close up. In no time, that section of the plant look much smaller. It is thought that the leaves close tightly as an act of defense.

During those hiking trips when I was young, I would look carefully for the sensitive plants and touch their leaves. It was fun, because it was a unique ability that most other plants did not have.

Where I am now, in the northeast of America, is not easy to find the sensitive plant. I think of it from time to time partly because it reminds me of my youth with my family. It was a fun and relaxing time to  spend quality time together.

As I was doing a little research on the sensitive plant, I got to learn more about it and learn from it. The sensitive plant is aware of any physical stimuli. When it determines that the stimulus is a threat, it closes its leaves. Although I am not quite sure how the plant is more defensive by showing up smaller and closed, its ability is truly unique.

If a plant can demonstrate its unique ability, I believe that each individual also has a unique ability. We just have to pay attention and find it.

If plants can be this sensitive to their surroundings, then human beings can learn how to have more awareness too. Increased awareness of our situation allows us to pay attention to what is happening around us, and to determine if something is a threat. Then we can put out our defense accordingly.

Defense may take a toll in our body. While the sensitive plant closes its leaves in a situation of perceived threat (by touch), its ability to perform photosynthesis also drops by 40%. If the plant is exposed to what it considers to be a threat all the time, the defense mechanism will actually harm the plant. Without adequate photosynthesis, the plant is at risk of exhaustion and death.

Are we always operating in a defensive mode? Are we doing or not doing something so as not to get into trouble? Overtime, this will drain your energy. I invite you to look at your situation differently. Use another lens, another perspective to view your situation. What is a more helpful approach to face your circumstances?

The leaves of a sensitive plant are collapsed and folded together in the evening. Some people speculate that the plant is resting. Whether it is true or not, it is important for us to always find time to rest and recover. It is important to get a good night’s sleep, so that we can face another day with a fresh mind and an energized body.

There is evidence that the sensitive plant can learn. Monica Galgiano published a study¹ in 2014 about the plant being able to perceive a repeated stimulus as not a threat, so that after many sessions of the same stimulus, the leaves no longer closed together. When the same stimulus was reintroduced after a month of undisturbed environment, the plants “remembered” that particular stimulus and did not close their leaves.

If plants can have the awareness of their surroundings, set out defense when there is a perceived threat, take time to rest and learn from their experiences, we as human beings can do so much more!

Mimosa pudica is truly a fascinating plant, and a species worth us to admire and learn from.

1. Gagliano, M., Renton, M., Depczynski, M. et al.Experience teaches plants to learn faster and forget slower in environments where it matters. Oecologia 175, 63–72 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-013-2873-7