Flower Tales: Mimosa

This marks the second post of our monthly flower-themed inserts by Karolina Lasse, one of the guides at Kings Camp.

Not the cocktail…

“Fancy a mimosa? I found some in the bush!”

As you can imagine, this announcement caused a lot of confusion among my friends and colleagues. Where would I find a cocktail in the bush?

Naturally, I wasn’t referring to the delicious combination of bubbly and OJ, but rather, the highly sensitive plant Mimosa Pudica, often called a touch-me-not which derives its name from the Latin word ‘pudica,’ meaning shy, bashful, or shrinking.

In Germany, where I’m from, we have a saying: “Sei nicht so eine Mimose.” This literally means, “Don’t be such a mimosa!” This expression is used when someone is being excessively sensitive and emotional.

The expression is derived from the mimosa plant’s behavior. You see, the leaves of the mimosa shrink back and close when they are touched. This seems to have helped the plant avoid the notice of herbivores more often and, as a result, they are eaten less.

Although the mimosa is a sensitive plant, it is not very fussy when it comes to habitats and grows in most soil, as long as there is enough water present.

So, the next time you pass this shy little plant, respect its space and its introverted nature.

– Karolina Lasse

Kings Camp in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, South Africa is an exclusive safari lodge offering guests a unique African safari experience.

Located in the heart of Big 5 game country, the lodge spreads out beneath a canopy of ancient trees and offers guests a peaceful and serene atmosphere in which to reconnect with nature.

Guests can enjoy all-inclusive luxury accommodation as well as thrilling game drives in open vehicles which offer special access to encounter some of Africa’s most beloved wildlife. Additionally, there are various activities available throughout the day such as guided bush walks and bird watching tours to discover even more wonders that this captivating landscape has to offer. All of this creates an unforgettable adventure for any guest looking to connect with Mother Nature in one of its most extraordinary settings.

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