sensitive plant
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noun
Also called humble plant. a tropical American plant, Mimosa pudica, cultivated in greenhouses, having bipinnate leaves whose leaflets fold together when touched.
any of various other plants that are sensitive to touch.
Origin of sensitive plant
First recorded in 1650–60
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for sensitive plant
Historical Examples of sensitive plant
The Sensitive-plant (Mimosa pudica) is a familiar example of this genus.
Botany for LadiesJane Loudon
Directly any one touches you, you shrivel up like a sensitive-plant.
The DuelA. I. Kuprin
The sensitive-plant shivers and droops its leaves at the slightest touch.
UraniaCamille Flammarion
In short, when you pressed this sensitive-plant, it always contracted its dimensions.
Mimosas will presently make a sensitive-plant of him who hangs his hammock beneath their shade.
Mount RainierVarious
sensitive plant
noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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