Have you seen films based on bizarre alien worlds, where plants shrink away from human touch? Well, one plant can rival any of its movie imitators with spectacular reactions. Mimosa pudica, a plant native to Central and South America, is known by many names including the sensitive plant, the shame plant and the touch-me-not.
Several plants have evolved the ability to move rapidly. You are probably familiar with the Venus flytrap (if not, see BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES REVIEW, Vol. 26, No. 4, back page). The trap of this plant is loaded with sensitive trigger hairs. When an insect brushes against these it causes the trap to snap shut, ensnaring the fly within. The trapped animal is then digested, and the trap re-opens after a few days.
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