Triggerplants first came to the attention of Western Science sometime before 1800. References to triggerplants made during the late 1700's are easy to find, though given the prevalence of these plants in Australia and their existence in Asia, they may have been noted before that time. A monograph on their workings was written in the early 19th century by Charles Morren, and various species were illustrated by famous botanical artists including Ferdinand Bauer. A book on these gems, Triggerplants, was written in the 1950's by Rica Ericson, author of many books on Australian plants and Australian history, and work on the basic physiology of the trigger was performed during the 1970's and 80's in the lab of Dr. Goeff Findlay at Flinders University in South Australia. Work on these plants continues, especially in Western Australia where so many of the species ofStylidium are found.
