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.