Banksia (family Proteaceae). It generally grows as a small shrub to
1.5 m (5 ft) high with fine narrow leaves, and is best known for its
unusually coloured dark purple-violet inflorescences. The colour of the
inflorescences, short leaves, and flattened follicles which are sticky
when young, help identify this species from others in the field. It is
found in low shrubland in southern regions of Western Australia from
Esperance in the east to Narrogin in the west, growing exclusively in
sandy soils. First described in 1927 by West Australian botanist Charles
Gardner, the species was at one stage considered a variety of
B. sphaerocarpa. Although there are no recognised subspecies or
varieties, both lignotuberous and nonlignotuberous forms exist for
Banksia violacea. Wasps, ants and flies have been recorded visiting
flower spikes. Banksia violacea is classified as Not Threatened under
the Wildlife Conservation Act of Western Australia. Regarded as of
little value to floriculture, it is rarely cultivated.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banksia_violacea>
_______________________________
Today's selected anniversaries:
1831:
Nat Turner led a slave revolt in Southampton County, Virginia,
US; it was suppressed about 48 hours later.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nat_Turner%27s_slave_rebellion>
1911:
Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre by a
museum employee and was not recovered until two years later.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mona_Lisa>
1963:
The Army of the Republic of Vietnam Special Forces raided and
vandalised Buddhist pagodas across the country, arresting thousands and
leaving an estimated hundreds dead.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X%C3%A1_L%E1%BB%A3i_Pagoda_raids>
1969:
An Australian tourist set the Al-Aqsa Mosque on fire, a major
catalyst of the formation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Aqsa_Mosque>
1993:
NASA lost contact with its Mars Observer spacecraft, three days
before orbital insertion.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Observer>
_____________________________
Wiktionary's word of the day:
accismus:
(rhetoric) Feigning disinterest in something while actually desiring it.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/accismus>
___________________________
Wikiquote quote of the day:
Everything was okay, as long as I could dream. Its amazing,
really, the difference between having a dream and not having any left
that can come true. It's the difference between living and dying.
--Alicia Witt
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Alicia_Witt>
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