Codariocalyx motorius (Dancing Plant) is a tropical perennial that is native to southern Asia and some Pacific Islands. They are one of only three known plants capable of making rapid movements. The Dancing Plant can apparently ‘dance’ to music but is also commonly used in a range of medicinal applications. They also produce purple flowers that attract bees and butterflies into the garden.
Other common names include the Telegraph Plant and Semaphore Plant.
These common names along with the Dancing Plant are given due to the rotation of the leaflets that are made in regular intervals of between 3-5 minutes (during the day). Some suggest the movements resemble a semaphore telegraph and the position of which messages were conveyed using that machine.
The plant is described in detail in Charles Darwin’s The Power of Movement in Plants (1880).
Here is a short video that demonstrates the movement of the plants leaves under time lapse:
Growth
Codariocalyx motorius is a plant of the Fabaceae family that reaches heights up to 120cm (4 feet). Dancing Plants are tropical plants and moist soils in temperatures above 25°C / 77°F. The lateral leaves can move at speeds rapid enough to be observed with the naked eye. Each leaf is equipped with a hinge to allow for the extra movement in search of sunlight. There are other theories too (see facts below) and then there is the music factor. The Dancing Plant does tend to increase its movement around high-pitched sounds.
Movement is most intense at sunrise as the plant slumps during the evening. Once the sun begins to rise the plant makes its daily recovery to seek out the light.
In ideal conditions the plant can grow quickly and can produce purple flowers in its first season. A full sun position either in the ground or in a container is suitable.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Fabaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate (Indoors), Sub Tropical & Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
3 to 35°C / 37 to 95°F
SOIL TYPE:
Is tolerant of most types of soil but prefers a well-draining soil.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 120 cm (4 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 60 cm (2 feet)
pH:
6.0-7.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial. Annual in cold temperatures.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium
POLLINATION:
Bees and Butterflies.
MATURITY:
6-12 months
GERMINATION RATES:
60-70%
GERMINATION TIME:
1-4 weeks
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Reasonably Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 150 seeds
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
Yes
FACTS ABOUT CODARIOCALYX MOTORIUS (Dancing Plant)
One possible explanation provided for the unusual leaf movement is to mimic predators such as butterflies. Having observed the Dancing Plant in action for many hours, the movement works to deter butterflies from settling on the plant to lay eggs. By looking like the plant is already being occupied. The most common theory is that the leaves are adjusting to the movement of the sun and it the changing light.
Dancing Plants are one of only a few plants capable of producing rapid movement. Mimosa pudica (Sensitive Leaf) and Dionaea muscipula (Venus Flytrap) are the two others.
