Sensitive Plant

The Little Leaf Sensitive Plants (Mimosa microphylla) are back. These are one of my favorite miniature Florida native plants.



The USDA has updated their classification of this species since I last blogged about it in 2009. They now call this species "Shame Plant" or Mimosa pudica L. var. pudica.



When one thumps the leaves or flower of this species it quickly closes tight. This. . . an evolutionary adaptation to discourage predation. This miniature variety goes largely unnoticed by everyone but me. . . and now you.