chinese Telegraph Plant seeds china Desmodium gyrans seed

LATIN NAME: DESMODIUM GYRANS

COMMON NAME: Telegraph Plant

The telegraph plant dances the small, lateral leaflets with the gentle, jerking movements through the warm day, the upright stems with the small, pink-purple flowers in the loose clusters, and the whole plant carrying the curious, lively look of the legume family. The paired leaflets rotate and dip as if signalling, and the plant has fascinated the growers for the ages. The small pods follow the flowers, and the plant grows into the wiry, branching bush of the warm regions. It likes the sun, and the deep, rich, well-drained soil.

Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology

The telegraph plant has a famous place in the studies of the plant movement, and the motor organs at the leaf bases have fascinated the botanists for the ages. The research covers the pulvinus cells and the way the leaflets move, along with the seed biology, and the plant has served the classrooms as the living demonstration of the plant movement. The curious habit keeps the species in the catalogues of the living novelties.

Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications

In the conservatory or on the warm windowsill, the telegraph plant never stops moving. The paired leaflets rotate and dip through the warm day, the small flowers draw the bees, and the plant makes the talking point of the collection. The leaves have served the traditional uses where it grows, and the grower is rewarded with the endless, gentle movement. Lively, curious and endlessly fascinating.

The telegraph plant seeds germinate readily in a gritty, sandy soil kept warm and moist. The seedlings rise within a few weeks, and they grow on fast with the upright stems. Grow the young plants in the sunny, well-drained spot, and the dancing leaflets come within the first season. A warm, bright windowsill suits the young plant well, and the movements grow more lively as the plant matures.

To grow the telegraph plant from seed, sow the small, hard seeds evenly into the shallow pot of gritty, sandy soil, then cover them lightly, keep the pot in the warm, bright spot and water gently. The seedlings break through within a few weeks, and they grow on fast. Grow the young plants in the sunny, well-drained spot, and the dancing leaflets will dance through the warm days over the years.

Telegraph plant – dancing plant

Desmodium gyrans

Desmodium gyrans (syn. Codariocalyx gyrans). It is known as a curiosity plant. The small clover type leaves will move in jerky motions when under the influence of warmth, sunshine, or touch. Small purple flowers.

see: chinese Desmodium gyrans seeds china CODARIOCALYX MOTORIUS seed DANCING TREE