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Stylidium graminifolium
Grass Triggerplant
Overview
Stylidium graminifolium is a tufted perennial in the family Stylidiaceae, forming a basal rosette of narrow, grass-like leaves 2-8 inches (5-20 cm) long. From spring into summer it sends up slender flowering spikes 8-28 inches (20-70 cm) tall, lined with pink five-petalled flowers each about 0.4 inch (10 mm) across. The flowers carry a sensitive column, or trigger, that snaps forward when an insect lands, dusting the visitor with pollen and giving the triggerplants their name. The column resets within minutes, ready for the next visitor. It grows in heath, open forest, and grassland across south-eastern Australia, from Queensland to Tasmania and South Australia, usually on moist, well-drained sandy soils. The grassy foliage is easily overlooked when the plant is not in flower. It tolerates light frost and short dry spells once established but declines in heavy, waterlogged ground. Some forms are sensitive to phosphorus and to deep shade, where flowering is sparse. The clump expands slowly and can be divided in autumn. Plants may be short-lived in cultivation where drainage is poor.
Native Range
Stylidium graminifolium is native to south-eastern Australia, occurring from Queensland through New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania to South Australia. It grows in heath, open forest, and grassland on moist, free-draining sandy soils.Suggested Uses
Grown in native, rockery, and container gardens, and in moist meadow-style plantings, where the flower spikes rise above low groundcovers. It suits the front of native borders and pond margins with sharp drainage. The triggered flowers draw native bees and small pollinating insects.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'4"
Width/Spread6" - 1'
Bloom Information
Pink flowers open along tall spikes from spring into summer, roughly September to January in the native range. Flowering continues for several weeks as buds open in succession up the spike. Outside the flowering season the plant is an inconspicuous grassy tuft.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-9 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in full sun to light shade in moist, free-draining sandy or loamy soil. Water through dry spells, as the plant prefers steady moisture but rots in waterlogged ground. Use only low-phosphorus native fertiliser, since some forms are phosphorus-sensitive. The tuft tolerates light frost once established. Remove spent flower spikes to keep the clump tidy. Divide congested clumps in autumn to maintain vigour.Pruning
Cut spent flower spikes back to the rosette once flowering ends. Trim away dead outer leaves to keep the tuft neat. The plant reshoots from the base and can be divided at the same time.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing