The apocalyptic novel, The Triffids,
was my introduction to science fiction,
when I was about twelve, and had quite an impact on me.
Do you know
John Wyndham's book?
Wyndham's Triffids are large carnivorous plants capable of vicious and intelligent behaviour, and are equipped with venomous stingers which they use to stun and immobilise their prey, before feeding on them. They can uproot themselves and walk and communicate with each other.
The novel was made into a movie in 1962 and a couple of TV mini series...the last in 2009.
I have always kept my eyes open in case I came across a rampant triffid.
I think I may have found some!
 |
| Check out that stinger! |
They look somewhat Triffid like,
don't you think?
Now before you dismiss me as totally crazy have you heard that New Yorkers have been warned about huge venomous plants that can make people blind? Experts warn that contact with the plant's sap in combination with moisture and sunlight, can cause severe skin and eye irritation, painful blistering, permanent scarring and blindness.
My 'Triffid's are only about
12 centimetres/7 inches high and seem friendly.
However, just to be on the safe side....
I won't be fertilizing
them anytime soon!
Have you been spending too long in hot baths Hazel? :)
ReplyDeleteOhhhhh, scary stuff!! If we don't get another post from Hazel, we will know the triffids have got her? Well, unless they can work the computer and they start posting...then we will never know .... nah I don't think a triffid could take photos like Hazel, they don't have opposable thumbs.
ReplyDeleteKim
I have referred to anything large, green and slightly frightening as a 'triffid' ever since reading that in early high school. I believe I was effected by it too....I often refer to the weeds down my back yard as triffids...I do have a John Wyndham novel in my bookshelf, "The Seeds of Time"....Those books remind me of a time of 'The Grapes of Wrath', 'Summer of the Seventeenth Doll' and other BIG books were lugged around in my school bag....
ReplyDeleteHa ha, we have watched the Triffids movie a few times over the years and... oh boy, Hazel, watch your back there girl ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you Hazel, I understand. By the sound of things you prob need to keep your machete by the bedside table!
ReplyDeleteWe have our own version of a weed that we call The Triffid also. Not as glam as yours, but I must take a photo one day, not sure exactly what it is.
Cheers Wendy
Well they certainly are different! Forgive my ignorance but what exactly are your Triffid like plants?
ReplyDeleteThe Day of the Triffids..had to read in school still traumatized
ReplyDeleteThe nearest thing to a Triffid that I know is the Japanese Knotweed. It is incredibly invasive; strong enough to break through concrete; resistant to most weedkillers; spreads so quickly it almost "walks"...
ReplyDeleteWell what I'd be worried about now is this... is that really Hazel blogging???
ReplyDeleteI remember being quite scared watching a house eating plant on Dr Who once....and I am always on the lookout for an Ent when I go bushwalking.
ReplyDeleteOh Hazel, Dad always refered to a certain plant as the 'triffid' and now I am trying to frantically trying to identify it. (There is a huge on down the street, may have to introduce myself and ask them the name of their 'triffid')Will send you the real botanic name when I find it, thanks for reminding me of fathers and books in one post, love them both.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you trying to do Hazel? Just as I am preparing for my sleep over! HDW
ReplyDeleteYour plants do look like snake heads. I hadn't heard about the deadly plants in NY but they've set up a helpline to monitor the spread of the plants (only in NY)!
ReplyDeleteHazel, I had a triffid reference in my blog just the other day. I was reminded of them by my broad bean plants, but your's definitely have the stingers on them unlike mine.
ReplyDeleteMark that Japanese knotweed certainly sounds scary!
And it's nice to know so many others have been equally traumatised by a high school reading of The Day of the Triffids. Now as a high school English teacher I hope to never have to teach that one.