Mimosa house was an early Exploratorium exhibit that I redesigned with the help of 'B' Berzins. The plants respond quickly to the slightest touch by folding up their leaves. But the plants can become overstimulated and drop all of their leaves when stressed. To prevent this, we give the plants a rest by rotating them past the visitor once an hour. The exhibit also provides the plants with high heat and humidity, which they love. Mimosa pudica, the sensitive plant, can be found all over the world but are native to South and Central America where they are called dormilonas or "sleepyheads."
