Botany
Diffusely spreading, half-woody herb, with branched stems up to 1 meter long, sparingly prickly with numerous deflexed, bristly hairs. The leaves are very sensitive, both pinnae and leaflets, folding when touched. The leaflets are narrowly oblong, inequilateral, 1 to 1.5 cm long, sessile, with pointed tips. Heads are long-peduncled, solitary or 2 to 3 in each axil, about 1 cm diameter. Pods are flat, 1 to 2 cm long, with 3 to 4 one-sided joints that fall away on maturity.

Distribution
Common weed widely distributed in the Philippines, in open moist areas, open grasslands and open thickets.

Properties
Expectorant, antiasthmatic.
Root is aphrodisiac.
Entire plant considered an alterant and antiasthmatic.

Characteristics
Called bashful or sensitive because the leaflets fold together when touched. The mechanism of movement is attributed to changes in turgor pressure in the leaf.

Parts utilized
Entire plant.

Uses
Folkloric
Decoction or infusion of leaves used in asthma; expectorant.
Urinary complaints, hypertension.
Glandular swelling, sore throat and hoarseness.
Powdered seeds applied to wounds and sores.
Decoction of roots used for bladder stones.
Bruised leaves applied to bruises.
Decoction of leaves used for diabetes.
Powdered roots and leaves take with milk for piles and fistula.
Juice applied externally to fistulous sores.
Poultice of leaves for glandular swellings.

Availability
Wild-crafted.