Much has been said on the Internet about this curious plant, whose scientific name is Desmodium gyransbut it is better known by its other names: telegraph plant or… dancing plant.
But how true is it that he can dance? Does he really dance, or is it that we think he dances? We’ll find out below.
The truth is that, unfortunately, he does not dance. There are some plants capable of rapid movements. Some of them are the Mimosa pudica that closes the leaves when an insect touches them, or the carnivorous plant Dionea better known as Venus flytrap, which closes its traps to get some food.
Our protagonist today, move its leaves every 3-4 minutes. In fact, in the description of some videos uploaded to YouTube, it is specified that the speed of their recording is increased.
Plants live on a different time scale. It is something logical and normal that, when we see a plant capable of making rapid movements, our brain interprets it as that the plant can dance. But if you have a chance, do the test. Look at the Desmodium gyrans with music, and then without music. You will see that it makes the same movements.
Of course, that does not mean that we cannot put music to our plants. Of course it is possible. Our elders did it, and even today they say that this way they will grow stronger and more vigorous.
For those who want to have this curious plant in their home, tell them that it is a tropical plantwhose origin is in the warm and humid jungles of Asia.
It doesn’t grow much, maybe 50-60cm tall, which makes it a great plant to have in a pot. We must place it in a semi-shady place, avoiding direct sun.
What do you think? Did you know her?
More information – Curiosities and records of plants
