Orchid flowers of Brazil.

Wishing You Happy New Year 2011.

Brazil Post issued the set of three stamps depicted beautiful orchid flower on year 1996. The featured orchid are Promenaea stapelioides, Cattleya eldorado, and Cattleya loddogesii.

Promenaea stapelioides Lindley (0.15)

Promenaea stapelioides Lindley is a plant bloom in the summer with one to two 5 cm flowers. Flowers are fragrant. Plants are found growing on trees and damp rocks in the cool mountain forest of southern Brazil .

Cattleya Eldorado Linden (0.15)

Cattleya eldorado is one of the smaller-growing Cattleya species. The pseudo bulbs are usually only 3 to 5 inches tall (plus a 4- to 6-inch-tall leaf), and a robust flowering-size plant is normally comfortable in a 4-inch clay pot. Cattleya eldorado have lovely range of subtle colours. The most common form has pale lavender-pink sepals and petals with an orange-throated lip. The orange disc in the throat is circular in shape, edged in white, and there is lavender or purple across the bottom edge on the lip. The colour pattern of the lip is distinctive to the species.it growing wild along the Rio Negro in Brazil, and it glitters in lavender, orange, pink and white in the sunlight, it may well be worth its weight in gold.

Cattleya Loddigesii Lindley (0.15)

Cattleya Loddigesii is scented like roses till 3 weeks and have diameter minimum 6-8 cm. It is found in many Brazilian states. The habitats is quite diversified. It can be occurs as epiphyte or directly on the rock.The bud arise from a floral atrophied leafless pseudo bulb. The colour range from pink to purple or dark purple.

Blogger Tags: Brazil, Cattleya eldorado, Cattleya loddogesii, Promenaea stapelioides

Winter Flowers of Jersey

Following the first issued of the stamps featuring seasonal blossoms,entitled ‘Autumn Flowers’ , Jersey Post issued the second series depict the Winter Flowers on the 10th November 2003. The set of stamps comprised six stamps depicted Japanese Quince, Winter Jasmine, Snowdrop, Winter Heath, Chinese Witch-hazel, and Winter Daphne.

Japanese quince 29p,

Japanese Quince or Chaenomeles japonica is a genus of three species of deciduous spiny shrubs, usually 1–3 m tall, in the family Rosaceae. They are native to eastern Asia in Japan, China and Korea.The species have become a popular ornamental shrubs in parts of Europe and North America, grown in gardens for their bright flowers

The leaves are are 3–5 cm long and alternately arranged, simple, and have a serrated margin. The flowers are 3–4.5 cm diameter, with five petals, and are usually bright orange-red, but can be white or pink; flowering is in late winter or early spring. It has small fruit with five carpels ; apple-shaped, 3–4 cm diameter; it ripens in late autumn. and has fruit. Some cultivars grow up to 2 m tall, but others are much smaller and creeping. They are also suitable for cultivation as a bonsai.

Winter jasmine 30p,

Winter Jasmine, is a slender, deciduous shrub native to China. It has arching green shoots and opposite, pinnate, dark green leaves. Each leaf is divided into three oval-oblong leaflets which are about 3 cm long.

As its name suggests Winter Jasmine flowers, in the Northern Hemisphere, from November to March. The solitary flowers have six petals and are bright yellow, about 1 cm across, appearing in the leaf axils.

Winter Jasmine likes full sun or partial shade and is hardy. It tolerates hard pruning and should be pruned in spring immediately after flowering, regular pruning will help to prevent bare patches. It can be propagated using the layering technique. This species of Jasmine can be grown as a bonsai.

Snowdrop 39p,

Snowdrop or Galanthus nivalis is a small genus of bulbous herbaceous plants in the Amaryllis family. There are about 20 species.Most flower in winter, but certain species flower in early spring and late autumn.

Winter Heath 48p,

Winter heath or Erica carnea is a species of heath native to mountainous areas of central and southern Europe in the eastern Alps, where it grows in coniferous woodlands or stony slopes.

It is a low-growing subshrub reaching 10-25 cm tall, with evergreen needle-like leaves 4-8 mm long, borne in whorls of four. The flowers are produced in racemes in late winter to early spring, often starting to flower while the plant is still covered in snow; the individual flower is a slender bell-shape, 4-6 mm long, dark reddish-pink, rarely white.

It is very widely grown as an ornamental plant for its winter flowering; over 100 cultivars have been selected for variation in flower and leaf colour.

Chinese Witch-hazel 53p,

Chinese Witch-hazel or Hamamelis mollis is a species of witch-hazel native to central and eastern China, in Anhui, Guangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, and Zhejiang.

It is a deciduous large shrub or small tree growing to 8 m tall. The leaves are oval, 8-15 cm long and 6-10 cm broad, oblique at the base, acute or rounded at the apex, with a wavy-toothed or shallowly lobed margin, and a short petiole 6-10 mm long; they are dark green and thinly hairy above, and grey beneath with dense grey hairs. The flowers are yellow, with four ribbon-shaped petals 15 mm long and four short stamens, and grow in clusters; flowering is in late winter to early spring.

The fruit is a hard woody capsule 12 mm long, which splits explosively at the apex at maturity one year after pollination, ejecting the two shiny black seeds from the parent plant.It is widely grown as an ornamental plant, valued for the strongly scented flowers. Numerous cultivars have been selected, for variation in flower colour and size, and in shrub size and habit.

Winter Daphne 69p,

Winter daphne or Daphne odora is an evergreen shrub, grown for its incredibly fragrant, fleshy, pale-pink, tubular flowers, each with 4 spreading lobes and for its glossy foliage. The plant is native to China and Japan.

The plant is fully frost hardy. It requires full sun to part shade. It is found in fertile, slightly acid, peaty, well-drained soils. It will not tolerate transplantation as, like all Daphne, it hates root disturbance. It rarely fruits, but when it does, it produces red berries after flowering in habitat. Daphne odora is propagated by semi-ripe cuttings in summer. It is susceptible to viruses that cause leaf mottling.Plants are not long lived, senescing within 8 to 10 years.

Blogger Tags: Jersey, Winter Daphne, Winter Heath, Chinese Witch-hazel, Japanese Quince, Winter Jasmine, Snowdrop

The Goshawk as Estonian Bird 2005

The goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), also known as the Northern Goshawk is an average-sized predator with a wingspan of more than one metre.It is the largest member of the genus Accipiter. The range of the goshawk is Eurasia and North America.

Plumage colour varies form grey in males to brownish in young and female individuals.The Northern Goshawk, like all accipiters, exhibits sexual dimorphism, where females are significantly larger than males. Males are 49–57 cm long with a 93–105 cm wingspan. The female is much larger, 58–64 cm long with a 108–127 cm wingspan. Males of the smaller races can weigh as little as 630 grams ,whereas females of the larger races can weigh as much as 2 kg .

The juvenile is brown above and barred brown below.Juveniles and adults have a barred tail, with dark brown or black barring. Adults always have a white eye stripe. In Europe and Asia, juveniles also have pale-yellow eyes, however adults develop orange-coloured eyes.

This species hunts birds and mammals in a variety of woodland habitats, often utilizing a combination of speed and obstructing cover to ambush birds and mammals. Goshawks are often seen flying along adjoining habitat types, such as the edge of a forest and meadow; flying low and fast hoping to surprise unsuspecting prey. They are usually opportunistic predators, as are most birds of prey. The most important prey species are small mammals and birds found in forest habitats.

The Estonian name of the bird, kanakull, only bears in mind domestic hens as its prey, its menu ranges from black grouse to jays, partridges, squirrels and rabbits. Attacks at domestic fowls become more frequent in the autumn and winter, when food is short in the woods

The bird builds its nest in mature and old growth coniferous forests that have rapidly dwindled in territory due to logging. The goshawk is superbly suited to this environment, navigating at great speed through the forest understory and canopy in pursuit of songbirds and squirrels. There are 2 - 4 young in a hatch. Over the past decade its population in Estonia has contracted by nearly a half to just half a thousand couples.

The flight is a characteristic "flap flap, glide", but is sometimes seen soaring in migration, and is capable of considerable, sustained, horizontal speed in pursuit of prey.

Blogger Tags: Estonia, bird, goshawk, Accipiter gentilis, Nothern Goshawk

Peony Flower of Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan Post issued the stamps depicted the Peony flower which presented in one souvenir sheet and sheetlet of 4 single stamps on April 10, 2010. The designed made by Kh. Mirzoyev.

The peony is named after Paeon (also spelled Paean), a student of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine and healing. Asclepius became jealous of his pupil; Zeus saved Paeon from the wrath of Asclepius by turning him into the peony flower.

Peony or paeony is a name for plants in the genus Paeonia, the only genus in the flowering plant family Paeoniaceae. They are native to Asia, southern Europe and western North America. Boundaries between species are not clear and estimates of the number of species range from 25 to 40.

Most are herbaceous perennial plants 0.5–1.5 metres tall, but some resemble trees up to 1.5–3 metres tall. They have compound, deeply lobed leaves, and large, often fragrant flowers, ranging from red to white or yellow, in late spring and early summer.

Peonies can be classified by both plant growth habit and by flower type. Plant types are Herbaceous (Bush), Tree and Intersectional (Itoh), while flower types are Single, Japanese,Anemone, Semi-Double , Double and Bomb-Double Each category becoming more complex in the arrangement of petals. Herbaceous peonies die back in winter, regrown in spring, while tree peonies lose their leaves in winter, but leave woody stems.

Blogger Tags: Peony, flower, flora, Azerbaijan

The Lapwing (Vanellus Vanellus) as Estonian Bird 2001

The Lapwing, (Vanellus vanellus, of the genus Charadriidae) was elected bird of the year 2001 on the initiative of the Estonian Ornithological Society.The stamp has issued on year 2001 and have specific of bird logo.

The Lapwing breeds throughout the European temperate zone, nesting in marshlands, meadows and green fields. A frequent migrant in Estonia, it usually arrives in early April and leaves in September-October. The lapwing is noted for its slow irregular flapping flight and shrill wailing cry.

Fungi of Bulgaria

Bulgaria Post issued a series of stamp depicted the fungi species, like : Amanita muscaria (32ct), Gyromitra esculenta (42ct),Boletus satanas (60ct),Amanita phalloides (5ct),Amanita verna (10ct),Amanita pantherina (20ct) on year 1990.

(32cr) Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric or fly Amanita is a poisonous and psychoactive basidiomycete fungus, one of many in the genus Amanita. Native throughout the temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere,Although generally considered poisonous, deaths are extremely rare, and it has been consumed as a food in parts of Europe, Asia, and North America after parboiling in water. Fully grown, the bright red cap is usually around 8–20 cm in diameter, although larger specimens have been found. The red color may fade after rain and in older mushrooms. After emerging from the ground, the cap is covered with numerous small white to yellow pyramid-shaped warts.

Amanita muscaria contains a number of biologically active agents, at least two of which, muscimol and ibotenic acid, are known to be psychoactive. Amanita muscaria is now primarily famed for its hallucinogenic properties, with its main psychoactive constituent being the compound muscimol. It was used as an intoxicant and entheogen by the peoples of Siberia and has a religious significance in these cultures.

(42cr) Gyromitra esculenta is one of several species of fungi known as false morels, is an ascomycete fungus from the genus Gyromitra, widely distributed across Europe and North America.Resembling a brain, the irregularly shaped cap may be up to 10 cm high and 15 cm wide. Initially smooth, it becomes progressively more wrinkled as it grows and ages. The cap colour may be various shades of reddish-, chestnut-, purplish-, bay-, dark or sometimes golden-brown.Gyromitra esculenta grows on sandy soil in Temperate coniferous forest and occasionally in deciduous woodlands.

Despite its recognized toxicity, Gyromitra esculenta is marketed and consumed in several countries or states in Europe and North America. Although potentially fatal if eaten raw, Gyromitra esculenta is a popular delicacy in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and the upper Great Lakes region of North America. It is eaten in omelettes, soups, or sautéed in Finnish cuisine.Although it is still commonly parboiled before preparation, recent evidence suggests that even this procedure may not make the fungus entirely safe The toxin affects the liver, central nervous system, and sometimes the kidneys.

(60cr) Boletus satanas, commonly known as the Devil's bolete or Satan's mushroom, is a basidiomycete fungus of the bolete family. Found on chalky soil in mixed woodlands in the southern, warmer regions of Europe and North America, it is generally regarded as a poisonous mushroom, with predominantly gastrointestinal symptoms of nausea and vomiting occurring if eaten raw. However, reports of poisoning are rare due to its odd appearance and at times putrid smell minimising casual experimentation. There are reports of its traditional consumption in the former Czechoslovakia, Italy and San Francisco Bay Area after thorough cooking.

The squat, brightly coloured fruiting bodies are large and imposing, with a pale dull-coloured velvety cap up to 30 cm wide, blood red pores and bulbous red-patterned stalk. The flesh turns blue when cut or bruised. There is a smell of carrion, more noticeable with age. It is the largest bolete growing in Europe.

(5cr) Amanita phalloides commonly known as the death cap, is a deadly poisonous basidiomycete fungus, one of many in the genus Amanita. Widely distributed across Europe. Amanita phalloides forms ectomycorrhizas with various broadleaved trees. In some cases, death cap has been accidentally introduced to new regions with the cultivation of non-native species of oak, chestnut, and pine. The large fruiting bodies (mushrooms) appear in summer and autumn; the caps are generally greenish in colour, with a white stipe and gills.

Coincidentally, these toxic mushrooms resemble several edible species commonly consumed by humans, increasing the risk of accidental poisoning. Amanita phalloides is one of the most poisonous of all known toadstools. The principal toxic constituent is α-amanitin, which damages the liver and kidneys, often fatally.

(10cr) Amanita verna, commonly known as the fool's mushroom, Destroying angel or the mushroom fool, is a deadly poisonous basidiomycete fungus, one of many in the genus Amanita. Occurring in Europe in spring, Amanita verna associates with various deciduous and coniferous trees.

The large fruiting bodies (i.e., the mushrooms) appear in summer and autumn; the caps, stipes and gills are all white in colour.The fool's mushroom is pure white, all the way to the gills and the stem. This fungus, like all amanitas, has a volva. The fool's mushroom's cap is 5–10 centimetres wide, and is about the same height. This mushroom's lamellae is free and white, and the volva is bag-like and large.The mushroom lives in Europe. The fool's mushroom is known to grow in woodlands and hardwood forests.

(20cr) Amanita pantherina also known as the Panther cap and False Blusher due to its similarity to the true Blusher (Amanita rubescens), is a species of Europe and western Asia. The panther cap is an uncommon mushroom, found in both deciduous, especially beech and, less frequently, coniferous woodland and rarely meadows throughout Europe, western Asia in late summer and autumn.It is an ectomycorrhizal fungus, living in root symbiosis with a tree, deriving photosynthesised nutrients from it and providing soil nutrients in return.

The European Panther contains ibotenic acid and muscimol, it is used as an entheogen much less often than the related Amanita muscaria because of the extremely high levels of these compounds found in the mushroom. Still they aren't deadly.

Blogger Tags: Amanita muscaria, Gyromitra esculenta, Boletus satanas, Amanita phalloides, Amanita verna, Amanita pantherina, fungi, Bulgaria

Orchids of Solomon Islands.

Post Administration of Solomon Islands issued the stamp series depicted the orchid species, like Calanthe triplicata, Dendrobium mohlianum, Dendrobium spectabile and Flickingeria comata.

Calanthe triplicata commonly known as The Thrice Folded Calanthe - The Christmas Orchid [Australia] is a terrestrial orchid.The original home of Calanthe triplicata species is from south China, Vietnam and India to Australia and New Guinea and also the Pacific Islands .Its habitat is broad-leafed, humid, primary forests in crevasses in karst limestone with rich humus soil in humid, shady conditions at elevations of 500 to 1500 meters grows cool to hot. Calanthe triplicata has ovoid psuedobulbs carrying 3 to 6, ovate-lanceolate, to elliptic-lanceolate, plicate, prominently ribbed, long petiolate leaves that are pubescent beneath and blooms from a mature pseudobulb .

 

Flickingeria Comata , is a species of orchid epiphytes native to Southeast Asia and western Pacific .It is an epiphytic orchid with stems that branch from the top with 2 nodes wearing yellow or orange leaves very coriaceous, elliptical and obtuse. The inflorescence with bracts acute, appears in the axils of the leaves with fragrant flowers appear in clusters that occur at any time of year or nine days after it rains.It is found in the lowlands, growing as epiphytes at elevations of 850 meters on the peninsula of Malaysia , Borneo , Sumatra , Papua New Guinea , Java , Philippines , New Guinea , Solomon Islands , northeast of Australia , Taiwan , Samoa , New Caledonia and Fiji in the trees in the forests open or small trees after logging.

Dendrobium mohlianum is a species of genus Dendrobium.Plant blooms from winter to spring with several 3 cm flowers.Plant found growing in trees in the Pacific Islands at elevations of 450 to 3100 meters .Plants are cool to warm growers. Place plants in partial shade and pot with medium bark or sphagnum moss. Water regularly in the summer and reduce watering in the winter. 

Dendrobium spectabile is a warm growing species native to New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The 18 inch to 2 foot long canes produce masses of flowers that look like aliens from another world.This plant typically flowers in the winter and early spring months but can also flower in late August through October. Each flower spike can produce 10 - 20 three inch flowers colored in cream, tan, mahogany, purple, and green. The flowers last a couple of and have a nice honey-like fragrance.

The Christmas Tree on Finland Stamp.

WISHING YOU A BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS 2010.

From the chosen stamp from Suomi Finland 2004, the celebration of Christmas usually use the Christmas tree at home or shopping mall.

The Christmas tree is a decorated evergreen coniferous tree, real or artificial, and a tradition associated with the celebration of Christmas. The tradition of decorating an evergreen tree at Christmas started in Livonia and Germany in the 16th century.The Christmas tree is traditionally brought into the home and decorated with Christmas lights (originally candles), ornaments, garlands, tinsel, and candy canes during the days around Christmas. An angel or star is placed at the top of the tree, representing the host of angels or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity.

Natural Christmas trees on the other hand are entirely biodegradable and are generally disposed of in landfills.Real or Cut trees are used only for a short time, but can be recycled and used as mulch or used to prevent erosion.

In order to continue get Christmas tree, the cultivation ( an agricultural, forestry, and horticultural occupation) has to be done involves growing pine, spruce, and fir trees which specifically for use as Christmas trees.

A wide variety of pine and fir species are grown as Christmas trees, although a handful of varieties stand out in popularity.

The House Sparrow and The Tree Sparrow as Estonian Bird 2002

The Estonian Ornithological Society has chosen the house sparrow and the tree sparrow as birds of the year 2002.

The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a species of passerine bird of the sparrow family Passeridae. It occurs naturally in most of Europe, the Mediterranean region, and much of Asia. It has also been intentionally or accidentally introduced to many parts of the world, making it the most widely distributed wild bird. It is strongly associated with human habitations, but it is not the only sparrow species found near houses. It is a small bird, with feathers mostly different shades of brown and grey.

The Tree Sparrow or Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Passer montanus, is a passerine bird in the sparrow family with a rich chestnut crown and nape, and a black patch on each pure white cheek.The Eurasian Tree Sparrow is 12.5–14 cm long with a wingspan of about 21 cm and a weight of 24 g making it roughly 10% smaller than the House Sparrow.

The Eurasian Tree Sparrow is widespread in the towns and cities of eastern Asia, but in Europe it is a bird of lightly wooded open countryside, with the House Sparrow breeding in the more urban areas.

The habitat of these two very common birds is mostly human-modified situations, such as farms, residential and urban areas. Their foods are mainly seeds, both of cereal grains and of weeds, although they also feed on insects and fruit.

The nest is normally in an artificial cavity, often inside or on a building or other structure, or in a natural cavity, such as a tree hole. There are usually four to ten (mostly 5-7) eggs, which the female parent incubates for ten to thirteen days. The young, which both parents care for, fledge after ten to seventeen days, with one to two brooks per summer.

Both birds are streaked brown or black on top and whitish grey below. The tree sparrow has a rufous crown on a grey head, and a dark spot in the centre of the breast. The house sparrow is an agile, lively bird, often brazen and quarrelsome.

Shrike as Estonian Bird 2010

The Estonian Ornithological Society picked has two species of shrikes, the Red-back Shrike (Lanius collurio) and the Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor), as birds of the year 2010.

The birds have a long tail and a strong hooked beak. The male shrike has a typical black eye mask. The red-back shrike is slightly larger than the sparrow while the great grey shrike is about the size of a small thrush.

Shrikes are passerine birds of the family Laniidae. Shrikes are medium-sized birds, up to 50 centimetres in length, with grey, brown, or black and white plumage. Their beaks are hooked, like that of a bird of prey, reflecting their predatory nature, and their calls are strident.Shrikes are known for their habit of catching insects and small vertebrates and impaling their bodies on thorns.

Shrikes can be seen in open and semi-open landscapes. Shrikes are carnivorous birds whose catch consists of larger insects, lizards, frogs, small birds and rodents. They hunt from prominent perches and impale corpses on thorns or barbed wire as a “larder”.

The Red-back shrike is a migratory bird that winters in southern Africa and arrives at our latitude only in the middle of May. In Estonia it is a very common breeding bird whose number in the country has been assessed at 40,000 to 60,000 pairs.

The Great grey shrike can be seen in Estonia all through the year but it is considerably less numerous than the red-back shrike. About 500-600 great grey shrikes spend the winter here, and only 300-500 pairs of them breed in the country.

The great grey shrike and the red-back shrike are to be included in the protected birds.

Armenian Apricot

In commemoration of the first "Armenian Apricot" international scientific forum‚ the national postal operator of the Republic of Armenia, HayPost CJSC, has officially issued a postal stamp entitled Armenian Apricot.

The apricot (Prunus armeniaca) is a species of Prunus, classified with the plum in the subgenus Prunus. The native range is somewhat uncertain due to its extensive prehistoric cultivation.

The apricot was known in Armenia during ancient times, and has been cultivated there for so long it is often thought to be native there. Its scientific name Prunus armeniaca (Armenian plum) derives from that assumption.

The fruit is a drupe similar to a small peach, 1.5–2.5 cm diameter (larger in some modern cultivars), from yellow to orange, often tinged red on the side most exposed to the sun; its surface is usually pubescent. The single seed is enclosed in a hard stony-shell, often called a "stone", with a grainy, smooth texture except for three ridges running down one side.

Turkey (Malatya region) is the leading apricot producer followed by Iran. In Armenia, apricots are grown in Ararat Valley.

Cyanogenic glycosides (found in most stone fruit seeds, bark, and leaves) are found in high concentration in apricot seeds.Research shows that of any food, apricots possess the highest levels and widest variety of carotenoids .Carotenoids are antioxidants that help prevent heart disease,reduce "bad cholesterol" levels and protect against cancer.

Indoor Potted Flowers of Taiwan

Indoor potted flowers are species native to the forests of the tropics, sub-tropics and temperate regions. Even when there is insufficient natural light indoors, they can still grow lushly and flower with the help of artificial lighting. Potted flowers instantly give a place the feel of life. Therefore Indoor Potted flowers are one of optional way for decorating of home and office.

On 1999, The Directorate General of Posts from Taiwan has chosen three perennials: the Gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa), the African violet (Saint-paulia × hybrida) and the Flamingo flower (Anthurium scherzerianum) depicted on the stamps set . The three stamps have face values of NT$5.00, NT$12.00 and NT$19.00 respectively. The stamps were painted by Mr. Cheng Yuan-chun of the Department of Botany at the Taiwan Provincial Museum.

Sinningia speciosa, commonly known in the horticultural trade as Gloxinia, is a tuberous member of the flowering plant family Gesneriaceae. The common name has persisted since its original introduction to cultivation from Brazil in 1817 as Gloxinia speciosa.The plants produce large, velvety, brightly coloured flowers and are popular houseplants.

Saintpaulia, commonly known as African violet, is a genus of six species of herbaceous perennial flowering plants in the family Gesneriaceae, native to Tanzania and adjacent southeastern Kenya in eastern tropical Africa, with a concentration of species in the Nguru mountains of Tanzania.Saintpaulias grow from 6–15 cm tall and can be anywhere from 6–30 cm wide. The leaves are rounded to oval, 2.5–8.5 cm long with a 2–10 cm petiole, finely hairy, and with a fleshy texture. The flowers are 2–3 cm diameter, with a five-lobed velvety corolla ("petals"), and grow in clusters of 3–10 or more on slender stalks (peduncles). Flower colour in the wild species can be violet, purple, pale blue, or white.

Anthurium scherzerianum is a member of section Porphyrochitonium and is easily recognized by the large, showy, bright orange or red-orange to red spathe, and coiled spadix. The species is now commonly cultivated throughout the world and about 40 different forms are recognized in cultivation.

Beautiful Flower of New Zealand

New Zealand Post has been issued a beautiful miniature sheet that featured flowers like Camellia, Siberian Iris, Daffodil,Chrysanthemum, Sweet Pea, and Petunia.

Camellia, 40c,

Camellia, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Theaceae. Camelia flowers are usually large and conspicuous, one to 12 cm in diameter, with five to nine petals in naturally occurring species of camellias. The colors of the flowers vary from white through pink colors to red, but yellow flowers are found in just a few species of camellias. They are native to eastern and southern Asia, from the Himalaya east to Korea and Indonesia. There are 100–250 described species, with some controversy over the exact number.

Siberian Iris, 80c,

Siberian Iris or Iris sibirica, is a flowering plant in the genus Iris, native to northern Asia and eastern and central Europe and widely grown in gardens in temperate regions around the world.It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 50-120 cm tall. The leaves are glaucous green, narrow and fairly rigid, blade-shaped, 40-80 cm long and 2-4 cm broad. The flowers are typical of an iris, each flower 4-7 cm diameter, mid- to purple-blue, often with a paler whitish or yellowish centre.It is the parent plant of many hybrids, used because of its attractive foliage and ability to flourish in a wide range of climates; the hybrids vary widely in flower colour.

Daffodil, 90c,

Daffodil is the common name of the Narcissus (genus) of flowering plant for a genus of mainly hardy, mostly spring-flowering, bulbs in the Amaryllis family native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia.The range of forms in cultivation has been heavily modified and extended, with new variations available from specialists almost every year.All Narcissus species have a central trumpet-, bowl-, or disc-shaped corona surrounded by a ring of six floral leaves called the perianth which is united into a tube at the forward edge of the 3-locular ovary. The seeds are black, round and swollen with hard coat. The three outer segments are sepals, and the three inner segments are petals.All Narcissus varieties contain the alkaloid poison lycorine, mostly in the bulb but also in the leaves.

Chrysanthemum, $1.30,

Chrysanthemum are herbaceous perennial plants growing to 50–150 cm tall, with deeply lobed leaves with large flower heads that are generally white, yellow or pink in the wild and are the preferred diet of larvae of certain lepidoptera species.The name Chrysanthemum is derived from the Greek, chrysos (gold) and anthos (flower).Chrysanthemums, often called mums or chrysanths, are of the genus (Chrysanthemum) in the family Asteraceae. This flower is native to Asia and northeastern Europe constituting approximately 30 species of perennial flowering plants.

Sweet Pea, $ 1.50,

Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is a flowering plant in the genus Lathyrus in the family Fabaceae (legumes). It is an annual climbing plant, growing to a height of 1–2 meters (nearly six feet and six inches), where suitable support is available.It is native to the eastern Mediterranean region from Sicily east to Crete.The leaves are pinnate with two leaflets and a terminal tendril, which twines around supporting plants and structures helping the sweet pea to climb. The flowers are purple, 2-3.5 centimeters broad, in the wild plant, larger and very variable in colour in the many cultivars.

Petunia, $ 2.00,

Petunia is a widely-cultivated genus of flowering plants of South American origin.Most of the varieties seen in gardens are hybrids (Petunia × hybrida).A wide range of flower colours, sizes, and plant architectures are available in both the hybrid and open-pollinated species

Fruits of Papua New Guinea

Because fruits have been such a major part of the human diet, different cultures have developed many different uses for various fruits that they do not depend on as being edible.Fruits are generally high in fiber, water, vitamin C and sugars, although this latter varies widely from traces as in lime, to 61% of the fresh weight of the date.Many hundreds of fruits, including fleshy fruits like apple, peach, pear, kiwifruit, watermelon and mango are commercially valuable as human food, eaten both fresh and as jams, marmalade and other preserves.Many fruits are used to make beverages, such as fruit juices (orange juice, apple juice, grape juice, etc.) or alcoholic beverages, such as wine or brandy.

Seedlessness is an important feature of some fruits of commerce. Commercial cultivars of bananas and pineapples are examples of seedless fruits. Some cultivars of citrus fruits (especially navel oranges), mandarin oranges, grapefruit, and watermelons are valued for their seedlessness.

Therefore Papua New Guinea Post issued the stamp series features of fruit series. The stamp set comprised of six piece stamps depicted mango, watermelon, pineapple, pawpaw, guava, and lemon fruit.

The Yellow Wagtail as Estonian bird 2006

The yellow wagtail (Motacilla flava) is a small passerine in the wagtail family Motacillidae, whose nearest relatives are the white wagtail, the citrine wagtail and the grey wagtail.

It is a slender 15–16 cm long bird, with the characteristic long, constantly wagging tail of its genus. It is the shortest tailed of the European wagtails. The breeding adult male is basically olive above and yellow below. In other plumages, the yellow may be diluted by white. The heads of breeding males come in a variety of colours and patterns depending on subspecies.The call is a characteristic high-pitched jeet The yellow wagtail is insectivorous bird that nests in tussocks, laying 4-8 speckled eggs.

The species is distributed in large parts of Eurasia, North Africa and Western Alaska. Sixteen races can be identified through its range, differing from each other by the pattern and colour of the head. Two of the races are found in Estonia. The yellow wagtail breeds in wet grasslands such as water meadows and open countryside near the sea. Feeding mostly on invertebrates, it is a good assistant to the farmer. The yellow wagtail is a protected species, being relatively common in Estonia at present, but destruction of its habitats by grasslands overgrowing with brush and reduction of animal breeding could cut down its population to critical.

The White Stork -Estonian Bird 2004

The White Stork (Ciconia ciconia ) has been breeding in Estonia for more than a hundred years.It is found throughout mainland Estonia and is particularly frequent in the southeast and south parts of the country.The white stork breeds also in Central and Eastern Europe, the Near East and North Africa, but in Western Europe.

White storks breed in open farmland areas with access to marshy wetlands, building a stick nest in trees, on buildings, or special platforms.

Because it is viewed as bird of good luck, it is not persecuted, and often nests close to human habitation.It walks slowly and steadily on the ground. It often forms small colonies. It feeds on fish, frogs and insects but also eats small reptiles, rodents and smaller birds.

Its population has declined from year to year. Being a big and strong bird, it has few enemies, and it is only seldom that an eagle may attack its nest. The stork usually has 2 to 3 young it the family.

For the winter Estonian storks travel to South Africa, avoiding the open sea on their migration and return to their breeding places in April. The white stork is a protected species.The White Stork is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.