Dan's Mimosa

Normally, we babysit dogs. This weekend, we are babysitting one of Dan's beloved mimosa plants while he and Judy are on vacation.

This mimosa is a very interesting plant. Native to Mexico, Central and South America, the Mimosa pudica is a pretty shrub in the legume family.

The most striking features are its tiny starburst blooms, and the fascinating way it will fold its leaves when touched. It is rather like turning off a light... touch a leaf, and it quickly collapses itself to nothing. Yesterday, the boys and I, and even Becky, spent more than a few minutes walking our fingers up and down the plant.

Of course, the mimosa restores itself later, after we've grown bored and moved on.