Mimosa pudica
Sleepy plant
Mimosa pudica, commonly known as the "sensitive plant" or "shameplant," is a unique perennial herb renowned for its rapid leaf movements. Triggered by touch, its foliage folds inward as a defense mechanism. Beyond its fascinating biology, this plant holds significant value in traditional medicine for its diverse therapeutic properties.
- Scientific name: Mimosa pudica
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae and is identified by the genus Mimosa.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Mimosa | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Mimosa pudica, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In Southern Min (nan), it is referred to as Kiàn-siàu-chháu, while in Chinese, it is widely known as 含羞草 (zh-hans, zh-hant, zh-hk, zh-cn), a name that beautifully reflects its sensitive nature.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| nan | Kiàn-siàu-chháu | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 含羞草 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 含羞草 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 含羞草 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 含羞草 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 含羞草 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 含羞草 | Wikidata |
| jv | Putri malu | Wikidata |
| pam | Malamarine | Wikidata |
| pl | mimoza wstydliwa | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Mimosa pudica, exhibits a specific geographical presence across several regions in West Tropical Africa. Within this part of the continent, it can be found growing in the nation of Benin. The plant's distribution also extends to Burkina Faso and the Gambia. Furthermore, its range includes the territories of Ghana and Guinea. These specific locations highlight the plant's occurrence within the West Tropical African landscape.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the sensitive plant, offers therapeutic potential through various components of its structure. The whole plant is frequently utilized in traditional medicine, particularly for its ability to respond to touch through rapid movement. The root is highly valued in herbal formulations for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties, often being prepared as a decoction. The delicate, globe-shaped flowers contribute to the plant's biological complexity and are sometimes included in holistic remedies. Finally, the various bioactive compounds can be concentrated into a plant extract, which is used in modern pharmacological studies to isolate specific alkaloids and flavonoids responsible for its medicinal effects.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| whole plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flowers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Plant extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Mimosa pudica has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, tannins, 3-Dibenzofuranamine, Cu, FSH.
- Total chemicals
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 21
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3-Dibenzofuranamine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cu | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| FSH | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| LH | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| N5,N10-methenyl tetrahydrofolate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| P | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Stigmasta-7,16-dien-3-ol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| TFC | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Mimosa pudica has 18 reported activities identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Aphrodisiac, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anticonvulsant, Antidepressant.
- Total activities
- 18
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Aphrodisiac | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticonvulsant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antinociceptive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Mimosa pudica has 21 reported medicinal uses identified across 28 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include anxiety, antidiabetic, cancer, depression, diabetes mellitus.
- Total uses
- 21
- Scientific sources
- 28
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| anxiety | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| depression | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| insomnia | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Vibrio cholerae | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aphrodisiac | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cough | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epilepsy | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |