This plant has been growing on our footpath ever since we moved here. Some one said it is sensative 'Momosa' not sure of spelling. It is suposed to be the only plant in the world that has 3 distinct separate movements. #1 all the leaves fold up against the fingers, #2 all 4 fingers close against the hand, #3 then the arm closes againgt the body. Not sure you can follow all that. all these movements are done in less than 2 seconds. Must be some kind of defence or camouflage. I always thought it unique.
We've got 2 varieties here that look like this--one with recurved prickles (Mimosa nuttalli, or Sensitive Brier) and one without (Mimosa strigillosa or Powderpuff). In our area at least, the M. strigillosa is a lighter pink, more like your picture.
You can see a story and clip here, http://plantsinmotion.bio.indiana.edu/plantmotion/movements/nastic/mimosa/mimosa.html I had a bit of trouble getting quick time to work? Good luck.
I had forgotten the common name "sensitive" and yes Hawaii has it also.. We are not lucky enough to have the variety without the thorns.. Ours can raise cain with you if you are "barefootin'" it. Appreciate all the help, and I have a lot of local "weeds" that I photographed while I was back home this past spring (April thru June), which was our fall season where we edge ourselves out of the rainy season into the dryier less humid part of the year. I will post several of them for your comments. Some are vines and others are very low lying creepers in the jungle... Many of our plants have been brought in and are not really native of the region and are given local names of the general variety... Thank you all for the very quick replies...
