Tropical plant Mimosa pudica (Mimosa pudica) still poses new questions scientists. Recently it became clear that it is able to distinguish between living beings from inanimate objects.

This is a perennial herbaceous plant from 30 to 150 cm originates from tropical areas of South America, where it is considered a weed; while around the world it is grown as an ornamental. Mimosa Blossoms from May to September with small purple inflorescences in the form of balls, which are located on long stalks. Pollination occurs by wind or insects, after flowering hook-shaped curved form beans.

A distinctive feature of the Mimosa pudica is its response to the potential threat. If the damage plant roots allocates a "cocktail" of toxic substances, including methanesulfonic, lactic, pyruvic acid and various sulfur compounds; it often leads to poisoning of cattle in the pastures.

Another amazing feature, which gave the name of the plant, was his ability to fold the leaves in response to touch. The mechanism of action is known to scientists. At the base of the stems are located water membrane, and sensory areas on pieces of paper react to the pressure. When you touch the water rushes to the place of contact, and under the weight of the leaves curl up and fall down.

Recently, Australian researchers found that the Mimosa pudica is able to educate themselves. According to the study, published in the journal Oecologia, mimosa "remembers" the characteristics of each contact, and if he is not a threat, to spend energy on the folding leaves will not. This behavior is peculiar to animals: they not only receive information, but it may in the future be used via the nervous system. Behavioral reaction plants, taking into account historical data it was first described in this example.

A new study conducted by specialists of the State University of New York at Albany. They learned that Mimosa pudica well distinguish a potential enemy. During experiments, it was established that in cases where its roots touched people - the air was filled with a mixture of hydrogen sulfide and other substances, and the contact with metal, glass and other objects of the mechanism for development of "chemical protection" does not start.

As a result, biologists have found another conceptual difference mimosa shy from other representatives of the fauna: if the majority of plants that use venom to protect themselves, it is isolated from the aerial parts - the object of their study does this by means of their roots, which are located on the tiny nodules. Moreover, they not only make the poison, but also analyze the chemical composition of the environment, "making a decision" about a potential danger.