Banksia dentata, commonly known as the tropical banksia, is a species of tree in the genus Banksia. It occurs across northern Australia, southern New Guinea and the Aru Islands. Growing as a gnarled tree to 7 m (23 ft) high, it has large green leaves up to 22 cm (8.7 in) long with toothed margins. The cylindrical yellow flower spikes, up to 13 cm (5 in) high, appear over the cooler months, attracting honeyeaters, sunbirds, the sugar glider and a variety of insects. Flowers fall off the ageing spikes, which swell and develop follicles containing up to two viable seeds each. Banksia dentata is one of the four original Banksia species collected by Sir Joseph Banks in 1770 (1773 depiction shown), and one of four species published in 1782 as part of Carolus Linnaeus the Younger's original description of Banksia. Within the genus, it is classified in the series Salicinae, a group of species from Australia's eastern states. Genetic studies show it is an early offshoot within the group. Banksia dentata is found in tropical grassland known as savanna, associated with Pandanus and Melaleuca. It regenerates from bushfire by regrowing from its woody base, known as a lignotuber.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banksia_dentata
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1745:
War of the Austrian Succession: The French victory in the Battle of Melle made their subsequent capture of Ghent possible. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Melle
1877:
The inaugural Wimbledon Championship, the oldest tennis tournament in the world, opened. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1877_Wimbledon_Championship
1896:
Politician William Jennings Bryan made his Cross of Gold speech advocating bimetallism, considered one of the greatest political speeches in American history. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_of_Gold_speech
1958:
A 516 m (1,693 ft) high megatsunami, the highest ever recorded, struck Lituya Bay, Alaska, US. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1958_Lituya_Bay_megatsunami
1995:
Sri Lankan Civil War: After having advised civilians to take shelter in places of worship, the Sri Lanka Air Force bombed a church in Navaly, killing at least 125 people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navaly_church_bombing
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
penitent: 1. Feeling pain or sorrow on account of sins or offenses; repentant; contrite; sincerely affected by a sense of guilt, and resolved on amendment of life. 2. Doing penance. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/penitent
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
 Truth shall be firmly established, while aught else besides it is sure to perish. --The Báb https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/B%C3%A1b