Banksia violacea is a species of shrub or tree in the plant genus 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