Banksia marginata, the silver banksia, is a species of tree or woody shrub found throughout much of southeastern Australia. It ranges from the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia to north of Armidale, New South Wales, and across Tasmania and the islands of Bass Strait. It grows in various habitats, including Eucalyptus forest, scrub, heathland and moorland. B. marginata varies widely in habit, ranging from a small shrub, 20 cm (7.9 in) high, to a large tree, 12 m (40 ft) tall. Its narrow leaves are linear. Its yellow flower spikes appear in late summer, eventually fading to brown and then grey and developing woody follicles bearing the winged seeds. Many species of bird, in particular honeyeaters, forage at the flower spikes, as do native and European honeybees. Although the silver banksia has been used for timber, it is most commonly seen as a garden plant, with dwarf forms being commercially propagated and sold.

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

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1923:

The Gleno Dam in the Italian province of Bergamo failed due to poor workmanship, flooding the downstream valley and killing at least 356 people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gleno_Dam

1959:

Twelve countries signed the Antarctic Treaty, the first arms control agreement established during the Cold War, banning military activity in the Antarctic and setting the continent aside as a scientific preserve. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antarctic_Treaty_System

1966:

The first Gävle goat, a Swedish Yule goat tradition, was constructed in Gävle and then burned to the ground on New Year's Eve. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%A4vle_goat

1991:

More than 92 percent of Ukrainian voters approved their country's independence as declared on 24 August. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_Ukrainian_independence_referendum

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

tip of the iceberg: (idiomatic) A small indication of a larger possibility; the first part encountered of a problem that is much bigger than it seems. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/tip_of_the_iceberg

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Nothing is simpler than to kill a man; the difficulties arise in attempting to avoid the consequences.   --Too Many Cooks https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Nero_Wolfe#Too_Many_Cooks