Mimosa pudica is a plant of American origin, which has been the subject of numerous studies for its ability to react to external stimuli by closing its leaves. Considering all the trials, the one made by Rene Desfontaines (1750-1833) in 1803 is of great interest, since it allows us to deduce that M. pudica is capable of evaluating the potential danger of the movements made in its environment.

In this way, Desfontaines caused vibrations around plants of M. pudica. When noticing, the plants closed their leaves, but after 8 or 10 repetitions the plants kept the leaves open. This could mean that the plant had exhausted the ability to move. But when he changed a vibration for another type of movement, M. pudica closed its leaves again.

This ability to react to an external stimulus, assess its danger and change the response is considered since then as a sign of intelligence.

* Photo: Sten Porse, license: CC-BY 3.0

You can read more information about this topic at the following links:

Intelligence of the plants. Scientific blog 93rd
The intelligence of vegetables-2: The movements of plants. Scientific blog 94th
Intelligence of the plants. Scientific blog 114th
Intelligence of plants. Scientific blog 115th