Lajawanti
Description :
It has prickly stems and small, fluffy, ball shaped pink flowers in summer. It grows to a height of 50 cm with a spread of 30 cm. In some areas this plant is becoming a noxious weed. The stem is erect, slender and branching. The leaves are bipinnate, fern like and pale green- closing when disturbed.
The fruit consists of clusters of 2-8 pods from 1-2 cm long each, these 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 restricts germination.
Details :
Botanical Name: Mimosa pudica
English Name :Sensitive plant, Touch-shy plant
Hindi Name : Lajawanti, Lajalu, Lajjavanti,Sharmpate, Najuk, Sharminda, Chui mui
Sanskrit Name : Ajalikalika, Lajja, Lajjalu, Lajjaluh, Lajjika, Mahabhita
Bengali Name :Lajjabate, Lajak, Lajjabati
Kannada Name :Hadergitte, Lajja, Mudugudavara, Muthamurike
Malyalam Name :Thendarmani, Thottamvati, Tintarmani, Tottalvati, Tottavati
Marathi Name :Lajri, Lajalu, Laajari, Lajaalu
Oriya Name :Hlo-nuar, Hlonuar, Lajkudi
Tamil Name :Kasirottam, Samangai, Tottachurungi, Tottalcurunki, Tottalvadi, Tottalvati
Telgu Name :Manugumaramu, Munuguda-maramu, Muttavapulagamu-chettu
Tibetan Name :Btsod rigs gcig pa, Sa mam ga
Manipuri Name :Kangphal, Kangphal ikaithabi
Assamese Name : Nilajban
Part Used : Roots, leaves and flower heads
Medicinal Uses :
- The plant provides symptomatic relief in fistula, piles and glandular swellings.
- According to the Unani system of medicine, root is resolvent, alternative, useful in diseases arising from blood impurities and bile, bilious fevers, piles, jaundice, leprosy etc.
- The sensitive plant is commonly used for bleeding disorders like menorrhagia, dysentery with blood and mucus, and piles.
- The leaves are used for lumbago and nephritis.
- All parts of the plant have been used to combat glandular tumours and uterine cancer.