Rare Endemic & Indigenous ferns of Norfolk Island

 

Norfolk Island is the home of the majestic Norfolk Island Pine and some 40 other endemic plants including a variety of ferns. These are a source of considerable interest to scientists and botanists in that they can be found nowhere else occurring naturally. The Norfolk Island Post issued stamp set features the Rare Endemic fern and Indigenous fern in 4 se-tenant stamps. The issue stamps was designed by Mary Butterfield.

The most important group of ferns as far as conservation values are concerned are the endemic taxa. These are Asplenium dimorphum, Cephalomanes bauerianum, Cyathea australis ssp norfolkensis, Cyathea brownii, Lastreopsis calacantha, Pteris kingiana, Pteris zahlbruckneriana and Tmesipteris norfolkiensis. All of these exist as healthy populations or individuals in the wild. All are found in areas that already have legal protection. Some also occur in important populations in areas not currently protected.

Netted Brakefern –20c

Pteris zahlbruckneriana - 20c

 

Pteris zahlbruckneriana  or Netted Brakefern is endemic fern in Norfolk Island and usually found in the forest on banks by the creeks. A number of plants in scattered populations in forest at higher elevation. Vulnerable but most of the populations are in protected areas.

Weed Flowers of Norfolk Island

 

Norfolk Island is plentiful with many unpopular introduced plants commonly known as “weeds”. Many of these weeds, if taken time to notice, have beautiful flowers. So Norfolk Island Post issued the stamp series features the weed flower on February 6, 2007 and designed by Jodie Williams

 

 

Creeping Crofton Weed, 50¢ known as “William Taylor” after the gentleman who is thought to have introduced it to Norfolk, is a low sub shrub that takes over pastures.

Hibiscus Flowers of Norfolk Island

Norfolk is sub tropical island. Hibiscus flowers are endemic to Norfolk and Philip Island. Therefore Norfolk Island chosen to issue the stamp feature its on 12 single stamps on 30th August 2005. Some lovely varieties lurking in backyards and hedges around the island awaiting to be discovered. One of them is The Philip Island Hibiscus (Hibiscus insularis) 

Bush Birds of Norfolk Island

The Norfolk Island Post issued the stamp series features the bush birds on August 18, 2009. The stamps are designed by Tracey Yager and comprised of 4 single stamps with different of face value.

The Bush birds of Norfolk Island depicted in this issued are The Grey Fantail, The Pacific Robin, The Golden Whistler, and The Sacred Kingfisher. The above mentioned birds are unique to Norfolk Island.

The Grey Fantail on 15 c stamp:

Mainly dark grey plumage, paler below with brownish wings. A delicate white eyebrow, and a white line behind the eye are balanced by the white band around the dark grey throat. Sexes are alike.

The Pacific Robin on 55 c stamp:

The male robin has a bright red breast, black head, back and wings, with contrasting white spots on the head and forewing. The female is subdued brown with a pale wash of apricot on her breast.

The Golden Whistler on $1.40 stamp :

Brown plumage on both the male and female. A soft gold is present all year around the under-tail area, the wing edges and flanks, becoming brighter in breading season. Some birds have a brown and white speckled chin and throat.

The Sacred Kingfisher on $2.05 stamp :

Colour can range from deep dark blue through to blue-green and aquamarine on the wings, head and back with a white collar. The breast may be white or shaded to a creamy buff. Juveniles are darker with a black mottled upper breast. Sexes are alike.