Triggerplants are amazing. Oh, sure, they can be pretty, but wh0 cares? Far more importantly, they're interesting. Their name refers to the fact that they have a unique structure in the flower, a touch-sensitive, spring-loaded catapult hidden under the petals. It isn't for throwing thing for long distances, but for slamming into the body of insects that land on the flower. Depending on the time of year, this either deposits p0llen on the insect's body, or removes pollen that's already there. This arrangement prevents self-pollination. It also causes worn spots on the bodies of bees, from getting whacked over and over. It also allows fascinated, childlike growers to waste lots of time touching the flower with pencil points in order to see the catapult work. The trigger will reset in half an hour or so, depending on temperature.

Stylidium species are native mainly to Australia, though some occur in south Asia and as far as the Philippines. Different species hit the insect in different spots, preventing hybridization.

Triggerplants are also somewhat carnivorous, excreting a sticky substance to trap small insects.

Hardiness information is very hard to come by, since almost no one grows these plants in temperate zones. The one we offer is an alpine species, and we think it might be hardy in zone 8, but offer no guarantees. It grows on rocky outcrops and summits near the coast of southwest Australia, south of Perth.