touch-me-not
Pod-bursting garden flower
Touch-me-not names several plants whose seed pods burst open when touched, scattering seeds explosively.
The garden balsam and jewelweed are common examples.
Figuratively, a touch-me-not is a person who seems prickly or unapproachable—someone who recoils from contact or familiarity: She had a touch-me-not quality that kept people at a distance.
Shy-leafed plant
- jewelweedItch-relieving wild impatiens
- balsamFragrant medicinal resin
- seedpodPlant's reproductive casing
- annualOccurring every year
wildflower · woodland · capsule · flora · garden · foliage · bloom · germination
Unfriendly in manner
- pricklySpiny or irritable
- unapproachableImpossible to access or befriend
- aloofEmotionally withdrawn, uninviting
- reservedRestrained in manner
distant · private · guarded · defensive · bristly · forbidding · cold · frosty
Easily hurt by remarks
- touchyEasily upset or offended
- oversensitiveExcessively prone to offense
- hypersensitiveExcessively reactive to stimuli
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
fragile · reactive · defensive · tetchy · irritable · prickly · temperamental · huffy
mimosa
Shy-leafed plant
- jewelweedItch-relieving wild impatiens
- balsamFragrant medicinal resin
- seedpodPlant's reproductive casing
annual · wildflower · woodland · capsule · flora · garden · foliage · bloom · germination
standoffish
Unfriendly in manner
- pricklySpiny or irritable
- unapproachableImpossible to access or befriend
- aloofEmotionally withdrawn, uninviting
reserved · distant · private · guarded · defensive · bristly · forbidding · cold · frosty · inaccessible
thin-skinned
Easily hurt by remarks
- touchyEasily upset or offended
- oversensitiveExcessively prone to offense
- hypersensitiveExcessively reactive to stimuli
delicate · fragile · reactive · defensive · tetchy · irritable · prickly · temperamental · huffy · peevish
shrinking
Decreasing in dimension
- flinchingInvoluntary recoil response
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
avoidance · startled · reactive · jumpy · skittish · wary · cautious · retracting
- Touch-sensitive plantssensitive plant, Mimosa pudica, Venus flytrap
- Plant Nicknamesbaby's breath, bachelor's button, black-eyed Susan, bleeding heart, buttercup
- seed dispersaldispersal, seed dispersal, burrs, samara, tumbleweeds
- Impatiensbalsam, jewelweed, snapweed
- seed launchersjewelweed
- balsam thingsbalsam fir
touch-me-notapproachable
Easy to engage with
warm · friendly · welcoming · accessible · gregarious
touch-me-notcuddly
Pleasantly huggable
touchy-feely · hugger · affectionate · tactile · hands-on
touch-me-notopen book
One easily understood
warm-hearted · emotionally available · vulnerable · forthcoming · unreserved
touch, touching, touched, untouched, touches, untouchable, touchable, retouch, retouching