Telopea oreades, commonly known as the Gippsland waratah, is a large shrub or small tree in the family Proteaceae. Native to southeastern Australia, it is found in wet sclerophyll forest and rainforest on rich acidic soils high in organic matter. No subspecies are recognised, though an isolated population hybridises extensively with the Braidwood waratah (T. mongaensis). Reaching a height of up to 19 metres (65 ft), T. oreades grows with a single trunk and erect habit. It has dark green leaves with prominent veins that are 11–28 centimetres (4.3–11 in) long and 1.5–6 cm (0.6–2.4 in) wide. The red flower heads, or inflorescences, composed of up to 60 individual flowers, appear in late spring. In the garden, T. oreades grows in soils with good drainage and ample moisture in partly shaded or sunny positions. Several commercially available cultivars that are hybrid forms with T. speciosissima have been developed. The timber is hard and has been used for making furniture and tool handles.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telopea_oreades

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1592:

During the first Japanese invasion of Korea, Japanese forces led by Toyotomi Hideyoshi captured Pyongyang, although they were ultimately unable to hold it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_invasions_of_Korea_(1592%E2%80%9398)

1807:

French brothers Claude and Nicéphore Niépce received a patent for their Pyréolophore, one of the world's first internal combustion engines. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyr%C3%A9olophore

1940:

The Arroyo Seco Parkway, one of the first freeways built in the United States, opened to traffic, connecting downtown Los Angeles with Pasadena, California. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arroyo_Seco_Parkway

1982:

Members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army detonated two bombs in Hyde Park and Regent's Park in London, killing eleven people and wounding over 50 others. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyde_Park_and_Regent%27s_Park_bombings

2005:

The Civil Marriage Act received its Royal Assent, legalizing same-sex marriage in Canada. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Marriage_Act

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

punctilious: 1. Strictly attentive to detail; meticulous or fastidious, particularly to codes or conventions. 2. Precise or scrupulous; finicky or nitpicky. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/punctilious

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Continued work and application form my soul's nourishment. So soon as I commenced to rest and relax I should cease to live. … There is no lighter burden, nor more agreeable, than a pen. Other pleasures fail us or wound us while they charm, but the pen we take up rejoicing and lay down with satisfaction, for it has the power to advantage not only its lord and master, but many others as well, even though they be far away — sometimes, indeed, though they be not born for thousands of years to come.   --Petrarch https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Petrarch