The sensitive brier seems to grow well in all conditions: hot, dry, sunny, shady, and well-watered. I've seen it growing in lawns, on precarious cliffs, and in rocky soil. It came up unassisted in one of our shaded gardens and does very well every year, producing a procession of lovely pink flowers as it twines around the other plants. I also transplanted one of the thick roots to a sunny area and, although slower to grow there, it is also thriving.

The pink blossoms are actually a cluster of many flowers, each having tiny, hidden petals and prominent pink stamens with yellow tips. In keeping with the plant's prickly nature, even the seed pods are covered with tiny thorns.

To see the result of touching the leaves, move your computer's mouse over the picture below.