Nainital's 'Laughing Tree' Reacts to Touch

• The "Thanailla" tree (Randia dumetorum) in Nainital's Kaladhungi and Ramnagar forests reacts to touch by trembling, resembling laughter, making it a tourist attraction.
• Its unique behavior, where branches and leaves shake upon touch, is attributed by scientists to a natural sensory system, captivating safari-goers.
• The tree holds significant medicinal value, used by locals for treating udder lumps in milch animals due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
• It is also utilized in traditional herbal medicine for conditions like asthma, cold, and inflammation, and its tender parts serve as animal fodder.
• Belonging to the Rubiaceae family, this shrub-like plant thrives at 300-1300 meters altitude in specific forest ranges and bears fruit from December to January.

Why It Matters: Nainital's 'laughing tree' highlights nature's surprising sensitivity and medicinal properties.