Learning from nature : experimental observation of mimosa pudica

• Main Author: Li, Yin Xi
• Other Authors: Li Hua
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Mechanical engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/65814
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Mimosa pudica (also called sensitive plant or shy plant) is a very common but special kind of plant. It is famous for its reaction to stimulations. Many researches and experiments have been conducted to observe and analyze its unique features and mechanism over the past years. Unlike animals, plants have no nervous system and muscles; they are unable to feel external stimulation theoretically. However, mimosa is much different. It quickly responses to stimulation by closing the leaves in a short time and reopen again. This report aims to achieve a better understanding of mimosa by observing its behaviors upon mechanical stimulation. Many experiments are carried out to analyze the fatigue effect as well. A large number of experimental data is obtained during the experiments. The results are discussed based on different influential factors, and conclusions are made accordingly. Three features of mimosa are discussed in this project, which are response time, mechanical motion and fatigue effect. Both response time and mechanical motion are affected by several criteria such as pinna width and pulvinus diameter. Wild mimosa is found to have better fatigue resistance than home grown one, because of its good adaptability to the environment changes day after day. For example, when the rain drops on the leaf, it closes immediately to protect itself from hurt.