Shameplant (Mimosa pudica var. unijuga): What We Know About This Pacific Island Variety
If you’ve stumbled across the name shameplant or its scientific designation Mimosa pudica var. unijuga, you might be wondering what exactly this plant is and whether it belongs in your garden. While this particular variety of the well-known sensitive plant has made its home across several Pacific islands, there’s quite a bit of mystery surrounding its specific characteristics and growing requirements.
What Is Shameplant?
Shameplant (Mimosa pudica var. unijuga) is a variety of the famous sensitive plant that’s known for its leaves that fold up when touched. This particular variety is classified as a forb, which simply means it’s a non-woody plant that can be either annual or perennial. Unlike trees or shrubs, forbs don’t develop thick, woody stems and their growing points stay at or below ground level.
In Palau, this plant goes by the local name mechiuaiu, reflecting its integration into Pacific island ecosystems and cultures.
Where Does It Grow?
This shameplant variety has established itself across several Pacific locations, including Hawaii, Guam, and Palau. However, it’s important to know that this isn’t a native plant to these areas. Instead, it’s what botanists call a naturalized species – meaning it was introduced by humans but now reproduces on its own in the wild and has become part of the local landscape.
The Garden Reality Check
Here’s where things get a bit tricky for eager gardeners: there’s surprisingly little specific information available about this particular variety of shameplant. While its famous cousin Mimosa pudica is well-documented, the unique characteristics, growing requirements, and garden performance of var. unijuga remain largely undocumented in horticultural literature.
What we do know is that it can behave as either an annual or perennial plant, and as a non-woody forb, it likely has a relatively soft, herbaceous growth pattern. Beyond that, details about its size, appearance, growing conditions, and care requirements for this specific variety are not readily available.
Should You Grow It?
Since this shameplant variety isn’t listed as invasive or noxious, there’s no strong reason to avoid it from an environmental standpoint. However, the lack of specific growing information makes it a bit of a gardening gamble. If you’re set on trying sensitive plants in your garden, you might have better luck with the more common and well-documented Mimosa pudica.
For Pacific island gardeners looking to support local ecosystems, consider exploring native alternatives that provide similar interesting features or ground coverage. Your local native plant society or extension office can point you toward indigenous options that will thrive in your specific climate while supporting local wildlife.
The Bottom Line
Mimosa pudica var. unijuga remains something of an enigma in the gardening world. While it’s clearly adapted to Pacific island conditions and has established itself in the wild, the specific details that would help home gardeners succeed with this plant are largely missing from available resources.
If you encounter this plant in the wild or are offered seeds or cuttings, it could make for an interesting botanical experiment. Just be prepared for some trial and error, and consider reaching out to local botanical gardens or plant enthusiasts in Hawaii, Guam, or Palau who might have hands-on experience with this particular variety.
