Banksia sphaerocarpa, the fox banksia, is a shrub (occasionally a tree) in the family Proteaceae. Generally 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) high, this banksia has narrow green leaves and, from January to July, brownish, orange or yellow round flower spikes. The species is widely distributed across the southwest of Western Australia, growing exclusively in sandy soils. A dominant plant in scrubland or low woodland, it is pollinated by, and is a food source for, birds, mammals, and insects. First described in 1810 by botanist Robert Brown, the species has a complicated taxonomic history, and several taxa once classified as part of a broadly defined B. sphaerocarpa have since been named as species in their own right. Most authorities recognise five varieties; the largest, B. sphaerocarpa var. dolichostyla (ironcap banksia), is sometimes given species rank as B. dolichostyla. According to the Wildlife Conservation Act of Western Australia, B. sphaerocarpa is not threatened. None of the varieties is commonly seen in cultivation.

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

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1043:

Edward the Confessor (pictured on coin) was crowned King of England, the last king of the House of Wessex. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_the_Confessor

1559:

Henry II of France and Philip II of Spain signed a treaty to end the Italian War of 1551–1559. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_War_of_1551%E2%80%931559

1922:

Joseph Stalin became the first General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Stalin

1948:

An uprising began on Jeju Island, eventually leading to the deaths of between 14,000 and 30,000 individuals due to fighting between its various factions, and the violent suppression of the rebellion by the South Korean army. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeju_uprising

2008:

Texas law enforcement authorities raided the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints' YFZ Ranch, eventually removing 533 women and children from the premises. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YFZ_Ranch

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

chairness: The essence of what it means to be a chair; the qualities that make a chair what it is. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/chairness

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

I think if we study the primates, we notice that a lot of these things that we value in ourselves, such as human morality, have a connection with primate behavior. This completely changes the perspective, if you start thinking that actually we tap into our biological resources to become moral beings. That gives a completely different view of ourselves than this nasty selfish-gene type view that has been promoted for the last 25 years.   --Jane Goodall https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Jane_Goodall