Lajalu – लजालू
➢ It is a sensitive herb or undershrub.
➢ The stem is cylindrical, branched with recurved prickles.
➢ The leaves are alternate and bipinnately compound. Each leaf has 2-
5 pinnae and each pinnae has 12-20 pairs of leaflets. The leaflets are
arranged opposite in pairs, having a linear to oblong shape. The
leaves are sensitive in nature and close at night and upon touch,
hence the name ‘Touch-me-not’.
➢ The flowers are arranged on globose heads. Each head is on a stalk
that is prickled and pink to purple in color. There are four small
sepals and four thin petals in each flower, along with four
prominent stamens.
➢ The fruits are borne in clusters. Each fruit is an oblong, flattened,
recurved pod containing three to five seeds. The pod is pointed at
the apex and the margins have bristles on them.
BOTANICAL NAME
Mimosa pudica L
FAMILY
Fabaceae
FLOWERING
Throughout the year
FRUITING
Throughout the year
PROPAGATION
It can be propagated by seeds and vegetative cuttings
PLANT PART USED
Whole Plant
COMMON NAMES:
Sensitive Plant, Touch-me-not; Hindi: Chui-mui,
Lajwanti; Marathi: Laajaalu, Laajari; Manipuri: Kangphal ikaithabi;
Tamil: Thottaccurungi; Malayalam: Tintarmani; Bengali: Lajjabati;
Kannada: Muttidare Muni, Muchuga, Naachike mullu; Sanskrit:
Khadiraka, Namaskaar, Raktapaadi, Samangaa, Shamipatra.
USES
✓ The plant is fast growing. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental
because the sensitive leaves are fun to interact with.
✓ In folk medicine, the plant is used as anthelmintic, in child birth and
in cases of infertility.
✓ The stems and leaves are also used to treat insomnia.
✓ The plant is said to having wound healing and anti-diabetic
properties.
✓ The roots are used to treat snake bites.
✓ It is used for bleeding piles.
✓ Leaves are used to treat diarrhea.
✓ It has liver protecting and anthelmintic activity.
✓ Poultice can be made for wounds.
✓ Seeds are used in cases of urinary tract infection (UTIs)
