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>
Show replies by date