action plant
- noun
- Indian
- The action plant folds its leaves when touched.
Examples
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The action plant closes its leaves instantly when disturbed by touch or vibrations.
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Many gardeners are fascinated by the rapid response of the action plant to physical stimuli.
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Children love observing the action plant as its leaves fold up at night or when handled.
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Many gardeners love the action plant for its unique behavior.
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Children love observing the action plant as its leaves fold up at night or when handled.
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Many gardeners are fascinated by the rapid response of the action plant to physical stimuli.
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The action plant closes its leaves instantly when disturbed by touch or vibrations.
Synonyms
1
8.2
A tropical plant whose leaves fold when touched or at night
1
9.9
A tropical plant with grey-green leaves that fold when touched and stems with curved thorns
1
9.1
A small tropical plant with leaves that quickly fold and droop when touched or at night
A small bush from the tropics whose leaves fold when touched and that has sharp thorns
A plant whose leaves fold when touched or at night
A plant with leaves that fold together when you touch them
A tropical plant whose small leaf parts close when touched
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound 'action plant' transparently combines 'action' (doing/movement) with 'plant', so a B1 learner who knows both words could infer it refers to a plant that moves or reacts. However, the precise botanical behaviour (sensitive leaflets folding when touched) and the uncommon use of 'action' as a modifier for a plant are not fully predictable from the parts, so the expression is only partially transparent.
Etymology
The noun action plant comes from the plant's quick movement: the word action shows how the plant's leaves fold up when you touch them. That's why the name means 'a plant that moves when touched'.