Just one mention of the name of this product and I'm transmogrified from an eminent technologist and boffin of gadgetry to a cross between Frankie Howerd and Kenneth Williams at their 'Titter ye not'/'Oh Maaatron' best. The Pink Flip Flap - for that is its name, and it is not of our doing - has had us guffawing for the best part of a week.

Essentially, the Pink Flip Flap is a high-tech, solar powered plastic flower. Confused? That doesn't sound remotely frisky or pervy in the slightest. You are right. Permit me to explain.

The 'flip flap' in Pink Flip Flap is the description of what it does; its functional benefit, when two plastic leaves flip and flap about. The 'pink' in Pink Flip Flap is the description of the colour of the receptacle in which it sits; a pink plant pot.

Splendid. So now we know what it is and what it does. So what makes it so dashed clever? Well, it's not a real plant, so requires no tending, no watering, and no chatting up by the Prince of Wales. It won't drop its leaves in the autumn, or, having suffered Sick Building Syndrome, die on you.

It works be generating its own power through a cunningly disguised photo-voltaic cell, and transfers this energy directly to its two succulent-looking leaves which twitch about somewhat disconcertingly on your office desktop, radiator or window sill.

You get to return all your office plants to Mother Nature - she's best placed to look after them, after all - and you still get a bit of flip flapping flora next to your desk. Horticulturally heroic.