Lunchtime Clubs

Gardening

Trigger plant (Stylidium graminifolium)

The South West of Western Australia is the major centre for the evolution of trigger plants.  The trigger plant is named for its unique method of pollination.  When an insect lands on the flower to collect nectar, the “trigger” is activated, causing the column to spring over, touching the back of the insect.  The column contains both male and female parts, allowing the male part to deposit pollen onto the insect while the female part may be pollinated with pollen that is already on the insect (if it has visited another flower previously).  Different species of trigger plant have evolved to hit different parts of the insect (eg. head, side, back) to avoid hybridisation. While trigger plants can vary in size, the flowers are usually pink and always have four petals. 

Photography - Shellie D

Cooking Club

Delicious Lemon Slice this week in cooking club.