Pistol plant (Pellionia repens, Syn: Pellionia daveauana)

This wonderful plant is very ideal for hanging baskets. It is meant for its cute, dainty foliage. Flowers are insignificant, but most wonderful characteristic of this plant lies in these flowers.

Pellionia repens

Pellionia repens flowers

The flower buds are almost the size of a mustard seed. The flowers grow in large groups, each having more than 50 to 60 flowers. The tiny buds normally start opening at noon time. Slight drizzle (or water spray) on the buds, along with bright sunlight on them induces the bud opening. The buds open with such a force that thousands of pollens ooze out. Pollens are white in colour. Almost all buds start oozing pollens one after other and this wonderful spectacle is just breath taking. Tiny clouds of pollens look as if the plant is smoking. 'Pistol plant' is a common name of this plant; alluding a just fired pistol, from which smoke comes out.

Botanical name of this plant is Pellionia repens, Syn: Pellionia daveauana. It belongs to Urticaceae family. Some other species of this plant also have these 'Smoking flowers'. The plant can be easily propagated with stem cuttings.