IMG 4089b

Dying flower of a touch-me-not plant (mimosa pudica). The flower is beautiful, but the plant is an invasive problem for farmers in many tropical countries. Few grazing animals will eat it because the plant reacts to touch and vibration by closing its leaves and the stems have sharp spines on them.

I have seen this plant advertised in the west as a "rare curiosity" for growing indoors. It is not rare, it is prolific in Asia and South America and is a constant problem to farmers and market gardeners. If it ever adapts to Western climates, farmers and gardeners there will regret it.