Medicinal Plants of Tunisia

Tunisia Post  (Office National des Postes Tunisie) has issued the stamp series feature their medicinal plants on June 28 , 2011. The issue stamps comprised of 4 single stamps depicted medicinal plants such as: Green Anise (Pimpinella anisum), Garlic (Allium sativum), Lemon Verbena (Lippa tryphilla), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis).

Green Anise (Pimpinella anisum)

Green Anise (Pimpinella anisum) is a herbaceous annual plant in the family Apiaceae that can grow to 3 ft  tall. The leaves at the base of the plant are simple, 0.5–2 in  long and shallowly lobed, while leaves higher on the stems are feathery pinnate, divided into numerous leaves. The flowers are white, approximately 3 mm diameter, produced in dense umbels. The fruit is an oblong dry schizocarp, 3 – 5 mm long, usually called "aniseed".

Green Anise plants grow best in light, fertile, well drained soil. The seeds should be planted as soon as the ground warms up in spring. Its native to the eastern Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia.

Green Anise is sweet and very aromatic, distinguished by its characteristic flavor which has some similarities with liquorice, fennel, and tarragon. Anise contains anethole, a phytoestrogen and has been used to treat menstrual cramps. Its essential oil  has reportedly been used as an insecticide against head-lice and mites. Western cuisines have long used anise to flavor some dishes, drinks, and candies.

Fruit of Bosnia Herzegovina.

 

B & H Croatian Post Mostar  of Bosnia Herzegovina issued the stamp series features the fruit species on November 1, 2011. The issue stamps comprise of two single stamps featured the species Common fig ( Ficus carica), and Pomegranate ( Punica granatum).

 

Ficus carica (Common fig)

Ficus carica is a monoecious, deciduous tree or a large shrub. It is native to the Middle East. It was later cultivated from Afghanistan to Portugal, and from the 15th century onwards, was grown in areas including Northern Europe.

Ficus carica (Common fig) grows to a height of 6.9–10 metres  tall, with smooth grey bark. It is well known for its large, fragrant leaves.

The Common fig tree has been cultivated since ancient times and grows wild in dry and sunny areas, with deep and fresh soil; also in rocky areas, from sea level to 1,700 meters. It prefers light and medium soils, requires well-drained soil, and can grow in nutritionally-poor soil.  Ficus carica requires wasp pollination of a particular species of wasp to produce seeds.

Aland Apples

On June 7, 2011, Åland Post issued the stamp series featured the fruit of Åland Island. The issue stamp comprised of two stamp with nominal value of  5 cent stamp as well as a 4 euro stamp. Both stamps show the Åland apple cultivar Strömma.The apples on the stamps were photographed in Hammarland.

More than 100 years ago, the Ålander Fridolf Sundberg began spreading his varieties of apples in Åland and the southern parts of Finland. On a farm in the village of Strömma in Hammarland, he discovered the Strömma cultivar. 

Argentina’s Native Orchids

Argentina Post (Correo Oficial de la Republica Argentina SA) has issued the flower stamp series depicted their native orchids on 24 September 2011. The issue stamps comprised of two stamps, featured native orchid  , Sacoila lanceolata and Zygopetalum maxillare Lodd. ( The Chin-Bone Zygopetalum).

 
 

Sacoila lanceolata

Sacoila lanceolata is orchid as member of family Orchidaceae belonging to the subfamily Orchidoideae. Plants are distributed from Florida, USA through Central America to South America. Plants are terrestrial and blooms with many flowers which have a short column. Plant blooms from spring to fall with many 2.3 cm wide flowers.

Marine Life of Norway– 2006

On September 15 , 2006, Norway Post has issued the marine life stamp series  following to the previous edition with the featured species, Sea urchins, and Cuckoo wrasse. The issue stamps are two single stamps.
 

Sea Urchin

Sea urchins  are small, spiny, globular animals which, their shell,  is round and spiny, typically from 3 to 10 centimetres  across, constitute the class Echinoidea of the echinoderm phylum. They inhabit all oceans.  Common colors include black and dull shades of green, olive, brown, purple, and red.

Sea urchins move slowly, feeding mostly on algae, but can also feed on sea cucumbers, and a wide range of invertebrates such as mussels, polychaetes, sponges, brittle stars and crinoids. Their predator are sea otters, wolf eels, triggerfish.

Marine Life in Norway - 2005

On September 30, 2005,  Norway Post  have continued to issue the marine life stamp series in two single stamps. The species of marine life that featured on stamps are Orcinus Ocra (Killer whale) and Urticina eques  (Sea anemone).

 

Orcinus Ocra

The killer whale (Orcinus orca) distinctively bears a black back, white chest and sides, and a white patch above and behind the eye. Calves are born with a yellowish or orange tint, which fades to white.

Males and females also have different patterns of back and white skin in their genital areas.Sexual dimorphism is also apparent in the skull; adult males have longer lower jaws than females, and have larger occipital crests.

Marine Life in Norway - 2004

Norway Post have issued the marine life stamp series on January 2, 2004, with the chosen species featured on stamps, Coronate medusa (Periphylla periphylla),  Catfish, Little cuttlefish. The issues stamp comprised of three stamps as part of regularly issues stamps concerning the marine life species.

 

Coronate Medusa (Periphylla periphylla)

Periphylla periphylla is found in every ocean of the world apart from the Arctic, at 1,000 to 7,000 metres deep. Periphylla periphylla has an unusual life cycle and can live for 30 years. Periphylla periphylla can detect light, which it avoids.

Marine Life in Norway–Naked Snail

 

In regularly Norway Post  issued a stamp set features the marine life species of Norway. On March 29, 2006, they has been issue one  stamp as the third series    depicted the Naked snail or Polycera quadrilineata which have been observed from the Mediterranean to the North of Norway. The stamp picture base on a photo by Erling Svensen.

 

Polycera Quadrilineata

Polycera quadrilineata grows to about 40 mm in length. Its body  is white with blotches of yellow or orange. Sometimes black spots or speckling can be present. The orange marks usually from a line down the dorsal midline, with others in the sides and dorsal part of the posterior foot. The rhinophores, gills and tentacles are tipped with orange, and in some cases the gills are edged in orange. There usually four pointed papillae around the anterior (head end) of the mantle. It feeds on ectoproct bryozoans, especially Membranipora membranacea.

These  sea slugs can often found on kelp or red algae where they graze on moss animals. They often congregate in large number. This is one of the sea slugs that is most often observed by divers.This species have distribution range from Iceland and Greenland South to the Mediterranean (Western Europe Region).

Flowers of Aruba - 2011

Aruba Post have issued the stamp set features flowers which are known well in many countries  in year 2011. The issue stamps are depicted many species of flower  i.e: Delonix regia, Cassia fistula, Ipomoea pes-caprae,Allamanda cathartica, Catharanthus roseus, Nerium oleander, Bougainvillea glabra ,Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Cordia sebestena,  and Echinopsis lageniformis. Some of depicted species are  declared as a national flower of their country.

Delonix regia is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae. It is grown as an ornamental tree and in English it is given the name Royal Poinciana or Flamboyant. In addition to its ornamental value, it is also a useful shade tree in tropical conditions, because it usually grows to a modest height but spreads widely, and its dense foliage provides full shade.

The Royal Poinciana is found in Madagascar's Madagascar dry deciduous forests. In the wild it is endangered, but it is widely cultivated elsewhere.The flowers are large, with four spreading scarlet or orange-red petals up to 8 cm long, and a fifth upright petal called the standard, which is slightly larger and spotted with yellow and white.

Hawk moths

On February 23, 2011,  Alderney Post issued  the stamp set comprised of one miniature sheet and six single postage stamp featured Hawk moths or Sphingidae. 17 species of hawks-moth occur in the British Isles and of these a remarkable 14 have been found in Alderney.

Hawk moths are found worldwide. Many of them are spectacular insects and the British ones include the largest moths seen in these islands. They are streamlined and fast flying with most kinds appearing at dusks, hovering over flowers.

Marine Life of Norway–Mackerel

Norway Post regularly issued the stamp set features marine life. The fifth series is a single stamp have issued that  featured  Atlantic mackerel  or called Scomber scombrus on May 2, 2007 . Mackerel is an excellent source of Phosphatidylserine as an important brain food that can have positive effects on ADHD and Alzheimer patients.

The Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus), is a pelagic schooling species of mackerel found on both sides of the North Atlantic Ocean. Atlantic mackerel are sought after for food either cooked or as sashimi. It consists mostly of red meat and has a strong taste desirable to some consumers. Atlantic mackerel is extremely high in vitamin B₁₂. Atlantic mackerel is also very high in omega 3 (a class of fatty acids), containing nearly twice as much per unit weight as does salmon.

Wildlife of Luxembourg - 2001

Luxembourg Post issued the stamp series of wildlife on Dec 06,  2001 features  squirell, wild boar, hare, and wood pigeon.This is the first set in a new cycle of postal values dedicated to animals living in our fields and forests. The stamps depict the following subjects, painted in oil on canvas by Lorraine wildlife artist Yvan Ridel de Blénod-les-Toul (France):

L'écure (Kaweechelchen)

Squirrels are indigenous to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa, and have been introduced to Australia.Squirrels typically have slender bodies with bushy tails and large eyes. Their fur is generally soft and silky, Squirrels live in almost every habitat from tropical rainforest to semiarid desert. They are predominantly herbivorous, subsisting on seeds and nuts, but many will eat insects and even small vertebrates .This small rodent is perfectly suited to life in the trees : it is an excellent climber that is always on alert to avoid being surprised by a marten or a hawk. Everyone loves this gentle animal with its pleasing appearance, beautiful large reddish tail, and graceful manner. With its gnawing teeth, the squirrel can easily open the nuts and pine cones that make up its primary nourishment.

Green Snaketail–Belarus

On  August  10, 2010 , Belarus Post collaborated with WWF organization proudly issued the stamp set features the endangered species Green Snaketail, a specific dragonfly that widespread in Europe. The issue consist of 4 postage stamps and one local first day cover depicted Green Snaketail on the bottom part.

Ophiogompus Cecilia is a species of dragonfly from the Gomphidae Family. Its wingspan is up to 7.5 cm and body length up to 5 cm.The Green Snaketail is a very pretty, easily recognizable dragonfly; it combines three colours; Its eyes, head and thorax are green (which becomes deeper and brighter with age), while its abdomen is black and yellow.

Birds of Slovenia - 2011

Slovenia Post proudly issue the stamp set features the birds of their country.on 23 September 2011 The issue consist of three postage stamps depicted White-backed woodpecker, Eurasian curlew,  Ortolan bunting and one souvenir sheet consist of one postage stamp depicted White Stork (Ciconia ciconia).

White-backed woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos)

The White-backed Woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos) is a Eurasian woodpecker belonging to the genus Dendrocopos which lives primarily in deciduous forests with a high percentage of old trees and rotting trunks and stumps.The male has a red crown, the female a black one.It is the largest of the spotted woodpeckers in the western Palearctic, 24–26 cm long with wing-span 38–40 cm and has plumage with white bars across the wings rather than spots, and a white lower back.

In the breeding season, to hatch their eggs and raise their young, they excavate nest holes with oval entrances, usually in the trunks of dead beech trees. They most often feed on insects.