Banksia prionotes is a species of shrub or tree of the genus Banksia in
the Proteaceae family. It is native to the southwest of Western
Australia and can reach up to 10 m (30 ft) in height. This species has
serrated, dull green leaves and large, bright flower spikes, initially
white then opening to a bright orange. The tree is a popular garden
plant and also of importance to the cut flower industry. Banksia
prionotes was first described in 1840 by English botanist John Lindley,
probably from material collected by James Drummond the previous year.
There are no recognised varieties, although it has been known to
hybridise with Banksia hookeriana. Widely distributed in south-west
Western Australia, B. prionotes is found from Shark Bay (25° S) in the
north, south as far as Kojonup (33°50′S). It grows exclusively in sandy
soils, and is usually the dominant plant in scrubland or low woodland.
Pollinated by birds, it provides food for a wide array of vertebrate
and invertebrate animals in the autumn and winter months. It is an
important source of food for honeyeaters (Meliphagidae), and is
critical to their survival in the Avon Wheatbelt region, where it is
the only nectar-producing plant in flower at some times of the year.
Read the rest of this article:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banksia_prionotes>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1763:
Pontiac's Rebellion: The local Ojibwe captured Fort Michilimackinac in
present-day Mackinaw City, Michigan after diverting the garrison's
attention with a game of stickball, then chasing a ball into the fort.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Michilimackinac>
1848:
As part of the Pan-Slavism movement, the Prague Slavic Congress began
in Prague, one of the few times that voices from all Slav populations
of Europe were heard in one place.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prague_Slavic_Congress%2C_1848>
1967:
German university student Benno Ohnesorg was killed during a protest in
West Berlin against the visit of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Shah of Iran,
sparking the formation of the militant group Movement 2 June.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benno_Ohnesorg>
1995:
United States Air Force Captain Scott O'Grady was shot down by a
Bosnian Serb Army SA-6 surface-to-air missile while patrolling the NATO
no-fly zone over Bosnia in an F-16, but he was able to eject safely and
was then rescued six days later.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mrkonji%C4%87_Grad_incident>
2003:
The Mars Express space probe, the first planetary mission of the
European Space Agency, was launched.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Express>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
interpose (v):
1. To insert something (or oneself) between other things.
2. To interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or
making a comment
<http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/interpose>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
The Poet's License! — 't is the right,
Within the rule of duty,
To look on all delightful things
Throughout the world of beauty.
To gaze with rapture at the stars
That in the skies are glowing;
To see the gems of perfect dye
That in the woods are growing, —
And more than sage astronomer,
And more than learned florist,
To read the glorious homilies
Of Firmament and Forest.
--John Godfrey Saxe
<http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Godfrey_Saxe>
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