Do you still cringe at that dumb thing you said at an office party 3 years ago? Hey don’t beat yourself up. We all have those moments where we wish we could just sink into the ground and disappear, but the plants on this list really take the saying to the next level. Here are a few plants that are so awkward and unsociable you are sure to forget all about your own quirkiness, at least for a moment or two.
Mimosa pudica or Touch Me Not
You might have heard of a shrinking violet, but how many times has a flower actually shrank beneath your fingertips? Mimosa pudica is no violet, but it will definitely clam up at the tiniest tap to its greenery. Known more commonly as “Touch Me Not” this shy plant quite literally shrinks away from any stimulus to its sensitive leaves. When touched, the leaves retract fluidly towards the stem to avoid damage. Trying to touch this plant’s foliage is nearly impossible – you’d have better luck trying to shake hands with Adrian Monk.
Cashapona tree or Walking Palm
photo credit by Ruestz
Ever find yourself stuck in an awkward conversation with a person who can’t take a hint that you’d like to leave? Perhaps you’ve tried subtly creeping toward the door and away from your chatty companion to no avail. In these situations you need to channel your inner Cashapona tree. Also known as a “Walking Palm” these trees reside in rainforests and have the enviable ability to move locations. The process consists of sending long, stilt-like roots into the ground in the direction it wants to go and then pulling up roots on the opposite side. This slow and steady march allows the tree to move a few centimeters a day to find more suitable growing conditions like firmer soil and better sunlight. At least that’s what botanists tell us. In truth, these trees might just be trying to distance themselves from the more unsavory part of the forest.
Epiphyllum oxypetalum
In Japan, this flower is known as “Beauty under the Moon.” It is also called Dutchman’s pipe and Queen of the Night. With such lofty titles one would think that this flower would have more confidence. Alas this night-blooming flower is as timid as they come. This rare plant takes up to a year to flower and when it does it blooms only once, in the dead of night. At dawn the flower wilts away as if embarrassed by its single, glorious performance which few will ever witness. Cheer up E. Oxypetalum, there’s no shame in being a one-hit- wonder.