Aiphanes is a genus of spiny palms which is native to tropical regions of South and Central America and the Caribbean. There are about 26 species in the genus, ranging in size from understorey shrubs with subterranean stems to subcanopy trees as tall as 20 metres (66 ft). Most have pinnately compound leaves (leaves which are divided into leaflets arranged feather-like, in pairs along a central axis); one species has entire leaves. Stems, leaves and sometimes even the fruit are covered with spines. Plants flower repeatedly over the course of their lifespan and have separate male and female flowers, although these are borne together on the same inflorescence. Although records of pollinators are limited, most species appear to be pollinated by insects. The fruit are eaten by several birds and mammals, including at least two species of Amazon parrots.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aiphanes
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
49 BC:
Caesar's Civil War: Forces loyal to Julius Caesar led by Gaius Scribonius Curio were crushingly defeated by Pompeian Republicans under Publius Attius Varus and King Juba I of Numidia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Bagradas_River_(49_BC)
1456:
The oldest known version of the Gutenberg Bible, the first major book produced on a printing press, was completed. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gutenberg_Bible
1821:
The Treaty of Córdoba was signed in Córdoba, Veracruz, ratifying the Plan of Iguala and concluding Mexico's War of Independence from Spain. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_War_of_Independence
1942:
World War II: Bombers from the United States aircraft carrier Saratoga sank the Japanese aircraft carrier Ryūjō near Santa Isabel, Solomon Islands, helping to lead to an Allied victory. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Eastern_Solomons
1992:
Hurricane Andrew made landfall in South Florida, the third most powerful Category 5 system to hit the United States during the 20th century. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Andrew
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
provident: With care and consideration for the future; foresightly. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/provident
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
One thinker no less brilliant than the heresiarch himself, but in the orthodox tradition, advanced a most daring hypothesis. This felicitous supposition declared that there is only one Individual, and that this indivisible Individual is every one of the separate beings in the universe, and that those beings are the instruments and masks of divinity itself. --Jorge Luis Borges https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Jorge_Luis_Borges