Triffid's name was inspired by The Day of the Triffids, a book by English science fiction writer John Wyndham, who also wrote The Midwich Cuckoos, and Trouble with Lichen.

A triffid was a particularly vicious carnivourous plant, possibly alien or genetically modified, who enjoyed snacking on humans.

The book was made into a movie in 1962 starring Howard Keel.

Later in 1981, the BBC dramatised the book for television which added to it's cult following. Read more about the TV adaption. This online bookstore has excerpts from the book.

The latest (3rd Dec '08) is that Day of The Triffids will be receiving a BBC remake.

More from the BBC's cult pages, and Liverpool Art Gallery present a John Wyndham archive.

Incidentally triffid is also the name of a nebula somewhere in the constellation of sagitarius. It's a place where stars begin life. Another image of the nebula.