Chapter 1
The ultimate botanical drama queen
Chapter 2
The plant that remembers
Chapter 3
Global roots and shy legends
Chapter 4
Sleep, siblings, and cyborgs
YOUR GOAL
Master of The dramatic life of the sensitive plant
Ch 3 · Global roots and shy legends
artiteacher Shy Plant Legends
Shy little legend, shy little legend! Fold it up but we're gonna rise!
artiteacher The sensitive plant originated in South and Central American rainforests before naturalizing in Africa, Asia, and northern Australia
artiteacher The delicate pink blossom and sensitive green leaves of a Mimosa pudica plant.
Fun Fact
Sticky seeds: Sensitive plant seeds have tiny, velcro-like bristles that hitch rides on animals to travel.
Glossary
makahiya (noun)
A tropical plant of the pea family, noted for leaves that fold inward when touched. Philippine folklore says the plant was once a bashful girl named Maria who transformed to escape bandits.
A tropical plant of the pea family, noted for leaves that fold inward when touched. Philippine folklore says the plant was once a bashful girl named Maria who transformed to escape bandits.
Quiz
Why is the sensitive plant classified as a highly invasive agricultural weed in northern Australia?
Quiz
For how many years can the seeds of the sensitive plant remain viable and waiting to sprout in the soil?
Quiz
On which continent did the sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica) originally evolve before spreading globally?
Quiz
How did the sensitive plant's seeds most likely travel across oceans to reach Africa and Asia?
Quiz
According to Tagalog folklore, who was Maria, the inspiration behind the sensitive plant's local name?
Quiz
In the Philippines, what Tagalog name meaning 'shame' or 'shyness' is given to the sensitive plant?
Quiz
What does the Hindi name for the sensitive plant, 'lajwanti', translate to in English?
Quiz
In traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine, which part of the sensitive plant is most commonly used to treat wounds and inflammation?