Which plant is it that closes it's leaves when touched?

Hello all.

Back when I was a wee nipper, my mum had a plant that, when touched, would close up it's leaves.

If I remember rightly, it was a fairly bushy plant, with many small green leaves in pairs accross the stems. Each leaf was raindrop shaped. When you touched it, the leaves follwed upwards and together. If I remember right it was to protect them from rain.

I'd like to get one, but I have no idea what it is called...

Any suggestions?

Steve

 

alot of the seed companys see it in the kids seeds collection

 

Thanks JWK.

A quick google search suggests that it's the one I'm thinking of - haven't seen it for years, but it jogs a memory.

Do you know much about them? What sort of conditions do they need? I'm thinking it's indoor only?

Thanks again

Steve

 

Thanks for the memory.....
I remember sitting in a field of mimosa for ages just playing with the stuff while I was in Singapore..fascinating stuff... that was year or two ago!
robert

 

Rip, the seeds need a temperature of around 21/23c to germinate well either in a heated propagator or greenhouse( possibly on a window sill indoors but not till may) they do not like root disturbance sow sowing individually in a cell tray is prefered. They will need potting on later as they can grow quickly during summer.The stems have small spines on them which can attatch to clothing and hands!