Mimosa pudica (also known as sensitive plant or the touch-me-not plant) is a creeping annual or perennial herb. It belongs to the mimosaceae plant family, together with plants such as acacia and wisteria.

Found natively in South America, the mimosa pudica plant has now spread around the world. This herb has also become naturalized in North America where it can be usullly be found growing in moist and humid areas.

Mimosa pudica often grows best under warm conditions in sunlight or semi-shade. It is not particularly fast growing but spreads readily by self-seeding. The herb has a creeping rootstock from which delicate vining stems emerge. On the stems are alternate pinnate leaves with pairs of small leaflets and long, sensitive reddish-pink 'hairs' at the leaf base.

When touched or shaken, the leaves fold up and droop until they resemble a ball. This is why it is also known as touch-me-not. This response may be to protect the delicate leaflets or to deter larger potential predators. It usually reverts to its original form after about an hour, but it may take up to three hours before it unfolds completely.

Mimosa pudica opens its leaves at night and also when the temperature is low or when it rains. It is an effective scavenger. The leaflets collect dew and other condensed moisture from the air and may also get moisture from ground fog which rolls in at night. This droplets provide the plant with a refreshing drink to help it survive heat, drought and strong sunlight. Mimosa pudica has sensitive pink roots that sense humidity.

At time, mimosa pudica can be used in organic gardening for controlling soil erosion by preventing soil run-off when planted on slopes. It also enriches the soil by helping to fix nitrogen into its roots.

The extracts from Mimosa pudica have also been found to have some antioxidant properties. Some findings have found thay their antioxidant activity may be greater at time than the one found in green tea or vitamin C.*