Leaves of the sensitive plant wilt and droop down on a slight touch. What mechanism brings about this change?
Leaves of the sensitive plant wilt and droop down on a slight touch. What mechanism brings about this change?

The rapid pull of the leaves of the delicate plant (Mimosa pudica) is a prime example of the turgor movement.

When one of the leaves is touched, even slightly so, the leaflets are rolled back and within 2 to 3 seconds, the entire leaf falls to the ground.

When a leaf is touched in a certain way, a rolling and hanging wave spreads from the renewed leaf to all the surrounding leaves.

Gradually, the leaves recover and stand up straight. In this plant, the force of touch leads to the loss of turgor under the petioles called pulvinus.