Scientific Name: Desmodium gyrams
Common Names: Passion Grass, Love Grass, Windless Grass, Automatic Grass, Dancing Grass
Family: Fabaceae (Butterfly Pea Family)
Morphological Characteristics:
This is a perennial small shrub that can grow up to 60–150 cm in height. Its leaves undergo changes as the plant matures. Initially, the true leaves are arranged opposite each other, but later they become alternate. The leaves are oblong or lance-shaped, measuring 5–10 cm in length. The flowers are butterfly-like and purple in color. One of the most fascinating features of this plant is its ability to move its leaves in response to temperature changes, light, or even music. When exposed to certain sounds, the leaves will move up and down in a rhythmic, almost dance-like motion, making it truly remarkable.
Despite its name, it doesn’t resemble a tree at all—it looks more like a grass or herb. It typically grows to about 100 cm in height, with a cylindrical, smooth stem. Each petiole usually has three leaves, with the top leaf being 6–12 cm long. A pair of leaflets is about 3 cm in length. The flowering period runs from August to October, producing small, lip-shaped purple flowers. The pods mature between October and November, and the seeds are dark green or gray, with a smooth and waxy coat.
What makes this plant so unique is its sensitivity to environmental stimuli. If you play soft, lyrical music near it, the leaves seem to stretch and sway, like a graceful dancer. On the other hand, if you play loud or chaotic sounds, the leaves may move erratically or even stop moving altogether, appearing to express an unpleasant "emotion." This behavior has made it a subject of fascination for both scientists and nature lovers.
Distribution:
Dancing grass is a deciduous perennial shrub. In the wild, it is mainly found in deep mountainous regions and old forests in Sichuan, Hubei, Guizhou, and Guangxi provinces in China.
According to scientific research, dancing grass is highly sensitive to sound waves of specific frequencies and intensities, and its movements are also influenced by temperature and sunlight. When the temperature rises above 24°C on a sunny day, the leaflets will cross, touch, and bounce on their own. These two leaves can rotate more than 180 degrees before springing back and repeating the motion. During temperatures between 28–34°C, or on cloudy or rainy days, the entire plant may display a range of movements—sometimes the leaves appear to embrace each other like lovers, and at other times, they flutter like dragonflies, creating a mesmerizing visual effect.
As night falls, the leaves stand upright on the branches, clinging tightly to them. This rare and captivating behavior makes it one of the most intriguing plants in the botanical world.
Uses:
Dancing grass has significant medicinal value and is used in traditional Chinese medicine. The whole plant can be used as a remedy for conditions such as tinea pediculatum (a skin infection) and for promoting blood circulation. Its leaves are believed to help heal fractures, while the stems and branches can be used in herbal wine to strengthen bones and treat rheumatism and joint pain. This plant not only captivates with its movement but also offers valuable health benefits.
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