Creeper's flowers of Vietnam

 

On 1st August 2006, the Vietnam’s  Ministry of Post and Telematics (MPT) issued the stamp series  "Creeper’s flowers" consisting of 4 values which  depicts Momordica blossom , Fragrant cynanthe flower , Bitter melon blossom, Fiber melon blossom 

 

The stamps are featured in a lively and realistic style that highlights the beauty of these flowers. These are 4 familiar species which are grown on trellis for decoration. Its fruits are also used as good foods and medicament. They are very common and can be seen anywhere throughout Việt Nam

Momordica blossom

Momordica cochinchinensis is a Southeast Asian fruit found throughout the region from Southern China to Northeastern Australia.Its grows on dioecious vines and is usually collected from fence climbers or from wild plants. The vines can be commonly seen growing on lattices at the entrances to rural homes or in gardens. It only fruits once a year, and is found seasonally in local markets.

Because it has a relatively short harvest season (which peaks in December and January), making it less abundant than other foods, Momordica cochinchinensis is typically served at ceremonial or festive occasions in Vietnam, such as Tết (the Vietnamese new year) and weddings.

Due to its high content of beta-carotene and lycopene, Momordica cochinchinensis is often sold as a food supplement in soft capsules.

Fragrant cynanthe flower

Telosma cordata or Tonkin jasmine, pakalana vine, Tonkinese creeper,  is a species of flowering plant native to China. It is cultivated elsewhere and may occur wild as an introduced species. The plant bears clusters of golden yellow blooms along the vining stems during summer months. Individual blooms emerge successively over a period of weeks emitting a rich, heavy fragrance during the day and night.The flower buds are used in Vietnamese cuisine and in Northern Thai cuisine where they are stir-fried or boiled.

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Bitter melon blossom

Momordica charantia, called bitter melon or bitter gourd in English, is a tropical and subtropical vine of the family Cucurbitaceae, widely grown in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean for its edible fruit, which is among the most bitter of all fruits.

There are many varieties that differ substantially in the shape and bitterness of the fruit.This herbaceous, tendril-bearing vine grows to 5 meters. It bears simple, alternate leaves 4–12 cm across, with 3–7 deeply separated lobes. Each plant bears separate yellow male and female flowers.

Fiber melon blossom

Luffa aegyptiaca or Luffa cylindrica is a species of Luffa. Commonly known as Smooth Luffa, Egyptian Luffa and mướp hương in Vietnamese, frequently misspelled "Luffa aegyptica", it is cultivated and grown for its fruit. The fruit resembles a cucumber. Young fruit can be eaten as a vegetable while ripe fruits can be use to make bath sponges. They may also be grown as an ornamental plant. It is native to northern Africa, but is now found in many tropical and subtropical areas of the world.

Resource from Wikipedia and Vietnam Post’s Information.

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