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Dancing Plant

C$14.99
Codariocalyx motorius / Desmodium gyrans
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Dancing Plant
Product Details
Common Name: Dancing Plant
Botanical Latin Name: Codariocalyx motorius / Desmodium gyrans
Alternate Common Names: Dancing Plant - Telegraph Plant, Semaphore Plant, Semaphore Vine
Hardiness Zone: 10a
Color: Green
We do not sell Live plants
We only sell freshly harvested seeds from small time growers, hobbyists and collectors.
Listing is for 5 Seeds
Codariocalyx motorius / Desmodium gyrans (though often placed in Desmodium), known as the telegraph plant, dancing plant, or semaphore plant, is a tropical Asian shrub, one of a few plants capable of rapid movement; others include Mimosa pudica and the venus flytrap.

It produces small, purple flowers. This plant has small, lateral leaflets which move at speeds rapid enough to be perceivable with the naked eye. This is possibly a strategy to maximise light by tracking the sun.[2][3] Each leaf is equipped with a hinge that permits it to be moved to receive more sunlight, but the weight of these leaves means the plant must expend a lot of energy in moving it. To optimise its movement, each large leaf has two small leaflets at its base. These move constantly along an elliptical path, sampling the intensity of sunlight, and directing the large leaf to the area of most intensity. Another hypothesis has been offered that the rapid movements are intended to deter potential predators.[4] It has also been suggested that these movements may be a form of butterfly mimicry to prevent the laying of butterfly eggs on the plant's leaves.[5]

The common name is due to the rotation of the leaflets with a period of about three to five minutes; this was likened to a semaphore telegraph, a structure with adjustable paddles that could be seen from a distance, the position of which conveyed a message in semaphore,[6][7][8] hence the common names.


Branch during day (left) and night (right)
The plant is described in detail in Charles Darwin's 1880 The Power of Movement in Plants. Due to its special characteristic that it can "dance", the plant has been used as ornament in gardening, in which some are made as bonsais.

Whimsy and Wonder proudly takes its place as a global leader in the realm of rare seeds, heirloom seeds, open-pollinated seeds, seeds for heirloom vegetables, hard-to-find seeds, and exotic seeds. Our reputation is built on a steadfast commitment to sourcing and distributing seeds of unparalleled quality. With a vast network that spans hobbyist growers, dedicated collectors, and seasoned professionals, we've meticulously curated an extensive inventory, unrivaled in its rarity and diversity, offering some of the planet's most elusive plant species.

Based in Canada, we've dedicated ourselves to serving plant enthusiasts in Canada, USA and worldwide with a promise of freshness and species authenticity. In an era where the online marketplace is rife with unscrupulous sellers peddling counterfeit seeds, we take our responsibility very seriously. Our stringent precautions and rigorous processes are designed to ensure the highest germination rates possible, setting us apart as a trusted source of rare seeds. We proudly offer Canada and worldwide shipping, extending our dedication to quality and authenticity to gardeners and growers around the globe, providing the assurance that your journey into the world of botanical whimsy and wonder begins with seeds you can trust.

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