triffids

Noun

triffid (plural triffids)

1. A fictional plant, able to move around and kill people with a poisonous stinger
   • But this should not lead to complete avoidance, as if it is like some dire incursion of triffids or ents.2003, Allen Paterson, Trees for Your Garden, page 180
2. (colloquial) Any of the sea anemones of the genus Aiptasia with poisonous tentacles, which are a pest in aquaria.
   • The plant is also very rare (related to triffids ... be wary) as it acts like a venus fly trap except it gives its catches to the fish, a truly symbiotic relationship2000 February 8, Silvaa, “betta w/ plant”, in rec.aquaria.marine.misc (Usenet)
3. Any large, fast-growing and hard-to-remove weed, such as the flowering shrub Chromolaena odorata.
   • Perhaps the BBC could get the Radio 2 King of the Tomatoes to come back and tell us what programmes to play to discourage rampant growth in minor forests of giant bindweed, monster nettles and apprentice triffids.1975 March 6, Patrick Ryan, “Top Pop Tomato”, in New Scientist, page 584