Wealth of Latvian Forest - 2008

Latvia Post released  a set of two stamps feature the Wealth of Latvian Forest on September 6, 2008.

The issue stamps depict flora species, Vaccinum myrtillus or  Blueberry, Leccinum Aurantiacum.

The 22 stamp present fruit species, Vaccinium myrtillus.

Vaccinium myrtillus is a species of shrub with edible fruit of blue color, commonly called  "European blueberry". It is more precisely called Common Bilberry or Blue Whortleberry, to distinguish it from other Vaccinium relatives. Vaccinium myrtillus is found natively in Europe, northern Asia, Greenland, Western Canada, and the Western United States. It occurs in the wild on heathlands and acidic soils. It is one of the wild origins and predecessors of the North American blueberry.

Vaccinium myrtillus has been used for nearly 1,000 years in traditional European medicine. Herbal supplements of Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry) on the market are used for circulatory problems, as vision aids, and to treat diarrhea and other conditions.

Since bilberries are more fragrant, and have more concentrated flavor and vitamins (like all more natural wild fruit varieties), they are especially well suited for making cough syrups and bilberry wine.In traditional medicine, Bilberry leaf is used for different conditions, including diabetes.

 

The 58 stamp present fungi  species, Leccinum Aurantiacum .

Leccinum aurantiacum, is a species of fungus in the genus Leccinum. It is found in forests of Europe, North America and Asia and has a large, characteristically red-capped fruiting body.

The cap is orange-red and measures up to 8 in (20 cm) across. Its flesh is white, bruising at first burgundy, then grayish or purple-black. The underside of the cap has very small whitish pores that bruise olive-brown.In Europe, Leccinum aurantiacum has been traditionally known to be associated with poplars (Populus).

This is a favorite species for eating and can be prepared as other edible boletes. Its flesh turns very dark on cooking. Like most members of the Boletaceae, these mushrooms are popular with maggots.