Thotta Sinungi/Lajalu Plant

Binomial Name – Mimosa pudica

Thotta Sinungi/Mimosa Pudica/தொட்டாற் சுருங்கி/Lajalu

Thotta Sinungi/Touch me/Lajalu/Mimosa Pudica plant is a creeping annual or perennial herb. It is also commonly called as touch me not plant.

It majorly possesses antibacterial, antivenom, antifertility, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, aphrodisiac, and various other pharmacological activities. The herb has been used traditionally for ages, in the treatment of urogenital disorders, piles, dysentery, sinus, and also applied on wounds.

The species is native to the Caribbean and South and Central America, but is now a pantropical weed, and can now be found in the Southern United States, South Asia, East Asia, Micronesia, Australia and South Africa as well. It is not shade tolerant, and is primarily found on soils with low nutrient concentrations.