Mimosa Pudica, The Sensitive Plant Can Thrive In One Of Two Types Of Life Cycles

Mimosa pudica, also known as sensitive plant or sleeping grass, is a small, short-lived, perennial most valued for its interesting foliage. The plants are not tolerant of cold temperatures and die back when exposed to frost. In the United States, Mimosa pudica is grown most frequently as a houseplant, where its growing environment can be strictly controlled, or as an outdoor annual. In tropical climates, the plant may become weedy or invasive when not controlled.
　　
Mimosa pudica requires full sun to partial shade and rich, moist, well-drained soil to thrive. When growing in containers, a soil mixture made of two parts peat moss, two parts loam and one part sand is recommended to provide adequate drainage and fertility. Weekly watering keeps the soil moist but not soggy, which sensitive plant prefers. Plants benefit from weekly fertilizing during the spring and summer months using a balanced fertilizer diluted to half-strength, but feeding should be reduced to one per month during winter. Mimosa pudica needs warm growing conditions and temperatures should not drop below 65 degrees Fahrenheit or yellowing of leaves and stems may occur.
　　
The methanolic extract of leaves of Mimosa pudica at the dose of 200mg/kg body weight per oral was studied for the hepatoprotective effect using Carbontetrachloride induced liver damage in wistar albino rats. Methanolic extract showed significant (p<0.05) hepatoprotective effect by lowering the serum levels of various biochemical parameters such as serum glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvates transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phospatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBL), total cholesterol (CHL) and by increasing the levels of total protein (TPTN) and albumin (ALB), in the selected model. These biochemical observations were inturn confirmed by histopathological examinations of liver sections and are comparable with the standard hepatoprotective drug Silymarin (100mg/kg bodyweight i.p.) which served as a positive control. The overall experimental results suggests that the biologically active phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, glycosides alkaloids present in the methanolic extract of plant Mimosa pudica, may be responsible for the significant hepatoprotective activity and the results justify the use of Mimosa pudica as a hepatoprotective agent.
　　
Mimosa pudica is best propagated from seed. For the best results, soak seeds in warm water overnight or until they become swollen, and sow immediately in seed-starting soil mix, covering with soil two to three times their thickness. Keep the growing medium moist at all times. Do not over-water or allow it to dry out completely. Place in bright light and wait for germination, which takes two to three weeks at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Transplant into pots when seedlings reach about 4 inches in height, and resume regular care for the remainder of the plant's life.
　　
Mimosa pudica is an evergreen sub-shrub that reaches no larger than 5 feet in height and produces small, globe-shaped flowers in summer. The plant's most fascinating feature is its fern-like leaves that close and fold up when touched. This reaction is known as a seismonastic movement, or a physical reaction to shock. At night, the leaves also close as a reaction to the absence of light, which is known as a nyctonastic movement. The plant's common name derives from this sensitivity to outside stimuli.
　　
In young plants, the Mimosa pudica has erect stems that transform to 5-foot long creeping or trailing stems. Pale, lilac pink flowers in summer look like fluffy balls, yet each cluster holds individual flowers. Leaves of most species are bipinnate, where leaflets give rise to other leaflets. The sensitive plant folds its foliage at dark and reopens in light. Fruit consists of two to eight pods. Each pod holds brown seeds. Certain species have poisonous roots.
　　
The sensitive plant can thrive in one of two types of life cycles: as an indoor annual ornamental with showy flowers; as an outdoor perennial plant in the tropics. Habitat includes moist, waste ground, open plantations, and well-drained soils with open sun. The Mimosa pudica can exist as a dense ground cover, with thorny stems that make grazing difficult and prevent reproduction of other species. The sensitive plant is drought and frost tender, and sensitive to over-watering. On dry, wild lands, this plant poses a fire hazard.
　　
A fungus distributed by the soil, Fusarium oxysporum, enters through the plant roots, and blocks the vascular or water conducting system. This fungal pathogen prevents the transportation of vital water and nutrients to the leaves. Wilting and death can result.
　　
Mimosa vascular wilt disperses by wind, water, animal actions, birds and human activities. Disease spreads from infected trees to healthy trees. With no known cure for mimosa vascular wilt, avoid spreading the fungus, such as by moving the soil. If the mimosa is in tree form, remove and destroy the trees by burning.