Nyctinastic describes a plant movement in response to the daily light–dark cycle, where leaves or flowers change position between day and night. These movements are driven by internal biological rhythms rather than immediate light intensity alone.
In cultivation, nyctinastic behavior is commonly seen in species that fold or droop their leaves at night and reopen them during the day. The movement is controlled by changes in water pressure within specialized cells at the base of leaves or leaflets, allowing reversible motion without growth. This behavior does not indicate stress and follows a regular circadian pattern.
See Also
