Jack in a Box

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

i.q. Hair-trigger (q.v.).


1854. `The Home Companion,' p. 554:

«When previously mentioning the elegant Stylidiumgraminifolium (grass-leaved Jack-in-a-box), which may beeasily known by its numerous grassy-like radical leaves, andpretty pink flowers, on a long naked stem, we omitted tomention a peculiarity in it, which is said to afford muchamusement to the aborigines, who are, generally speaking, fondof, and have a name for, many of the plants common in their ownterritories. The stigma lies at the apex of a long column,surrounded and concealed by the anthers. This column isexceedingly irritable, and hangs down on one side of theflower, until it is touched, when it suddenly springs up andshifts to the opposite side of the blossom or calyx.»

1859. D. Bunce, `Australasiatic Reminiscences,' p. 26:

« Stylidium (native Jack in a box). This genus isremarkable for the singular elasticity of the column stylis,which support the anthers, and which being irritable, willspring up if pricked with a pin, or other little substance,below the joint, before the pollen, a small powder, is shed,throwing itself suddenly over, like a reflex arm, to theopposite side of the flower. Hence the colonial designation ofJack in a box.»

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