The Hairpin Banksia (Banksia spinulosa) is a species of woody shrub, of the genus Banksia in the Proteaceae family, native to eastern Australia. Widely distributed, it is found as an understorey plant in open dry forest or heathland from Victoria to north Queensland, generally on sandstone though sometimes also clay soils. It generally grows as a small shrub to 2 metres (7 ft) in height, though can be a straggly tree to 6 metres (20 ft). Its inflorescences (flower spikes) are gold or less commonly yellowish, with emergent styles that may be a wide range of colours – from black, purple, red, orange or yellow. The Hairpin Banksia is pollinated by and provides food for a wide array of vertebrate and invertebrate animals in the autumn and winter months. Its floral display and fine foliage have made it a popular garden plant with many horticultural selections available. Given recent trends toward smaller gardens, compact dwarf forms of Banksia spinulosa have become popular; the first available, Banksia 'Birthday Candles', has achieved a great deal of commercial success and wide recognition, and has been followed by several others.

Read the rest of this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banksia_spinulosa

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1836:

Texas Revolution: At a convention of delegates in Washington-on-the-Brazos, the Mexican state of Texas adopted a declaration of independence, establishing the Republic of Texas. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_of_1836

1939:

Italian Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli was elected as Pope and took the name Pius XII . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Pius_XII

1943:

World War II: Australian and American air forces attacked and destroyed a large convoy of the Japanese Navy in the Bismarck Sea north of Papua New Guinea. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Bismarck_Sea

1949:

The B-50 Superfortress Lucky Lady II landed in Fort Worth, Texas, US, after completing the first non-stop around-the-world airplane flight in 94 hours and one minute. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucky_Lady_II

1992:

By virtue of gaining membership to the United Nations, Moldova gained international recognition as an independent nation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_of_Moldova

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

panegyrically (adv): In a very eloquent and eulogistic manner. With lavish praise. In a very complimentary way http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/panegyrically

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Ideals are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with your hands. But like the seafaring man on the desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them you will reach your destiny. --Carl Schurz http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Carl_Schurz