Mimosa pudica : modelling light stimulation of plant movements

Abstract

Mimosa pudica is a weed which is a common sight at open fields in Singapore, especially in grass that is not cut periodically. It displays a distinct defensive characteristic in which the leaves of the Mimosa pudica fold and droop low upon introducing external stimulations – heat, mechanical and light. Being one of the plants which display this rapid unique defence mechanism, many researches and studies have been conducted to understand the circadian and seismonastic motion of the Mimosa pudica better. This study focuses on the response time of these Mimosa pudica with irradiations of light stimuli. From this, fatigue life of these plants can be understood and analysed with the number of stimulations applied consecutively.