Kangphal-ikaithabi

Kingdom: plantae

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Mimosoideae

Genus: Mimosa

Species: M.pudica

The stem is erect in young plants, but becomes creeping or trailing with age. It can hang very low and become floppy. The stem is slender, branching, and sparsely to densely prickly, growing to a length of 1.5 m (5 ft). The leaves of the mimosa pudica are compound leaves.

The leaves are bipinnately compound, with one or two pinnae pairs, and 10–26 leaflets per pinna. The petioles are also prickly. Pedunculate (stalked) pale pink or purple flower heads arise from the leaf axils in mid summer with more and more flowers as the plant gets older. The globose to ovoid heads are 8–10 mm in diameter (excluding the stamens). On close examination, it is seen that the floret petals are red in their upper part and the filaments are pink to lavender. The fruit consists of clusters of 2–8 pods from 1–2 cm long each, these being prickly on the margins. The pods break into 2–5 segments and contain pale brown seeds some 2.5 mm long. The flowers are pollinated by the wind and insects. The seeds have hard seed coats which restrict germination.

Uses:

Boiled decoction of the leaves is used in uterine pains after delivery. Leaf-juice is also prescribed in hydrocele, piles and boils.

* Decoction of root is used in gravel and other urinary complaints. Leaf-juice is used in dressings for sinus and also for sores and piles.