Woman Gets Excited Over Touch-Me-Not Potted Plant, Amused Asians Call It 'Grass'
She named it 'Heidi' because it hides.
By Tamara Jayne — 27 Jul 2021, 12:07 PM
If you've walked through any park or lorong (alley) in Malaysia, you've most likely spotted the mimosa pudica plant, also known as the touch-me-not
They can usually be found everywhere, whether at parks or even near longkangs (drains), growing wild and free.
But often what's common for some may be a unique thing for others.
Like in this case.
On 15 July, Martha McKay posted a TikTok of her "magical new plant" that she calls Heidi "because she hides".
In the caption, she wrote that the plant is usually found in South or Central America.
Her video has since garnered over 1.6 million likes, with many others expressing their excitement as well.
Mimosa pudica, or shameplant, is native to Central and South America, although in several parts of the world, it's seen as more of a weed
During evenings, its leaves droop and close up before opening up again the next morning.
Some believe that it does this as a way to protect itself against predators, as it gives the impression that it's dead or dying, and herbivores would then avoid eating it. The leaves also close up if touched, shaken, or exposed to heat.
Touch-me-nots are said to be easy to care for but grow extremely fast, which is why they're often seen as an invasive weed in many countries.
