Telegraph Plant (Codariocalyx motorius)
Telegraph Plant is a tropical Asian
shrub grown for its novelty of movement,
much like the Sensitive Plant (Mimosa
pudica). The new leaflets move when
exposed to light or sound vibrations and
the movement can be seen by the naked
eye. The terminal leaflets spread out
during the day and droop down at night.
It’s commonly thought that the movement
happens so the leaflets can utilize the
absorption of light more efficiently, however,
the leaves also move when exposed
to high pitched sound waves. It grows best
in a sandy loam soil and needs to be kept
evenly moist, given bright light and temperatures between 68-95˚F. The small pink
flowers are followed by seedpods.