Banksia blechnifolia is a species of flowering plant that was first
described by Victorian state botanist Ferdinand von Mueller in 1864. Its
leaves are reminiscent of the fern genus Blechnum. B. blechnifolia is
one of several closely related species that grow as prostrate shrubs,
with horizontal stems and thick, leathery upright leaves. The red-brown
flower spikes are up to 20 centimetres (8 in) high and appear from
September to November. As the spikes age, they turn grey and develop as
many as 25 woody seed pods. Insects such as bees, wasps, ants and flies
pollinate the flowers. Found in sandy soils in the south coastal region
of Western Australia in the vicinity of Lake King, B. blechnifolia is
non-lignotuberous, regenerating by seed after bushfire. The plant adapts
readily to cultivation, growing in well-drained sandy soils in sunny
locations. It is suitable for rockeries and as a groundcover.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banksia_blechnifolia>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1875:
Billy the Kid was arrested for the first time after stealing
clothes from a laundryman, beginning his life as an infamous American
outlaw and gunman.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_the_Kid>
1944:
World War II: The Soviet Army completed the Tallinn Offensive,
driving German forces out of Estonia.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tallinn_Offensive>
2010:
Scottish aid worker Linda Norgrove and three Afghan colleagues
were kidnapped by members of the Taliban in Kunar Province, Afghanistan.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Linda_Norgrove>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
learn the ropes:
1. (originally nautical, informal) To learn the basics or master
introductory knowledge.
2. (informal) To learn some skill requiring specialist knowledge.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/learn_the_ropes>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
Every thinking of being, all philosophy, can never be confirmed
by "facts," ie, by beings. Making itself intelligible is suicide for
philosophy. Those who idolize "facts" never notice that their idols only
shine in a borrowed light. They are also meant not to notice this; for
thereupon they would have to be at a loss and therefore useless. But
idolizers and idols are used wherever gods are in flight and so announce
their nearness.
--Martin Heidegger
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Martin_Heidegger>