Plant of the week #2

Stylidium graminifolium
(grass trigger-plant)

A brief description:
The grass trigger-plant is a spring flowering plant found predominantly in moist to dry eucalypt woodlands throughout south-eastern Australia. Emerging in late winter, leaves are up to mid-shin height, with the flower-spike up to knee height. Flowers vary from hot pink to white with pink streaks (as above), with the inflorescence covered in small black hairs.

Taxonomy:
The grass trigger-plant is one species of about 130 that belongs to the genus Stylidium (Family: Stylidiaceae). Most species are Australian, however there are some found throughout south-east Asia.

Distribution: Eastern states; eastern SA, Vic, Tas, NSW (eastern coast) and QLD (south-east).

Conservation status: Locally common; not considered at risk in the wild

Interesting things about trigger-plants:
The flowers of trigger-plants are insect pollinated, and it is from the flowers that the plant derives both it's common and genus names. The flower consists of 5 petals (4 clearly visible, one tucked back up behind the trigger) and fused stamens (2) and style that form a trigger. This trigger is pulled backwards (like cocking a gun), and when an insect lands on the flower it is released, swinging forward and stamping pollen onto the back of the insect's head. You can see this trigger clearly locked-and-loaded in the photo below. Unfortunately I wasn't smart enough to trigger it and take a before/after photo. Perhaps next time? ;)