DESMODIUM MOTORIUM Meaning and
Definition
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Desmodium motorium, commonly known as the "telegraph plant" or "dancing plant," is a tropical perennial herb belonging to the Fabaceae family. Native to Southeast Asia, this delicate plant grows up to 2 feet in height and has long, slender branches with pinnately compound leaves made up of small, oval-shaped leaflets.
The name "Desmodium motorium" stems from its unique ability to exhibit movement. Its leaves have specialized hinge-like structures at the base of each leaflet that enable them to quickly respond to touch or changes in light. When stimulated, either by touch or light, the leaflets promptly fold up and droop downwards, resembling a person signaling messages through Morse code, which led to the plant's common name, "telegraph plant."
This motor response is triggered by rapid changes in turgor pressure within specific cells known as pulvini, found at the base of each leaflet. The rhythmic movement of the Desmodium motorium leaves is believed to provide adaptive advantages, such as reducing water loss through transpiration or improving light capture during the day.
Apart from its fascinating movement, Desmodium motorium also possesses medicinal properties. Various parts of the plant, including the leaves and roots, have been traditionally used in Southeast Asian traditional medicine to treat ailments like rheumatism, respiratory disorders, and skin diseases. Modern scientific studies have further revealed the presence of bioactive compounds in Desmodium motorium, which exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other potentially therapeutic properties.
Overall, Desmodium motorium is not only a captivating botanical wonder but also holds promise for medicinal applications due to its unique movements and bioactive compounds.
Common Misspellings for DESMODIUM MOTORIUM
- sesmodium motorium
- xesmodium motorium
- cesmodium motorium
- fesmodium motorium
- resmodium motorium
- eesmodium motorium
- dwsmodium motorium
- dssmodium motorium
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- drsmodium motorium
- d4smodium motorium
- d3smodium motorium
- deamodium motorium
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- dexmodium motorium
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- desnodium motorium
Etymology of DESMODIUM MOTORIUM
The word "Desmodium motorium" has a scientific etymology. It is a Latin botanic name given to a plant species.
The genus name, "Desmodium", originates from the Greek words "desmos" meaning "bond" and "eidos" meaning "form" or "resemblance". This is because the plant belongs to the legume family, and its flowers are structured in a way that the stamens and petals are fused together, forming a bond-like structure.
The species name, "motorium", is derived from the Latin word "motor" meaning "mover" or "motive". This species name was given due to the plant's unique characteristic, as it has sensitive leaflets that react to touch or physical stimuli, causing rapid movements that resemble the movement of a motor-driven mechanism.
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