Seashells of Malaysia

In year 2008, Malay Post issued the stamp set features seashells of Malaysia that comprises of one souvenir sheet and 4 single postage stamps. The species of seashells have depicted are Venus comb murex (Murex pecten), Horned helmet (Cassis cornuta), Burnt murex (Chicoreus brunneus), Frog shell (Tutufa rubeta), and Triton’s trumpet (Charonia tritonis).

The Venus comb murex, or  Murex pecten, is a species of large predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Muricidae, the rock snails or murex snails. The shell of this Indo-Pacific species has a very long siphonal canal, and numerous spines.

The shell has over one hundred spines, which provide protection from predation, and prevent the snail from sinking in the soft mud. 

Like many other murex snails, it feeds on other mollusks. The Venus comb murex is a common species, but perfect specimens of the shell are not easily found because of the fragility of the numerous long spines. The species grows to between 10 and 15 cm in length.

Aromatic plants – Comoros

The Post of Comoros issued the stamp series of aromatic plants on  October 9,  2003 . The issue comprises of two postage stamps depicted Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata ), and Vanille (Vanilla planifolia).

Ylang-Ylang or Cananga odorata,  kenanga (Indonesian), fragrant cananga, Macassar-oil plant  is a tree valued for its perfume. The essential oil derived from the flowers is used in aromatherapy.

Cananga  odorata is a fast-growing tree of the custard-apple family, Annonaceae and attains an average height of 12 m . It grows in full or partial sun, and prefers the acidic soils of its native rainforest habitat.

The evergreen leaves are smooth and glossy, oval, pointed, with wavy margins, and 13–20 cm  long. The flower is drooping, long-stalked, with six narrow, greenish-yellow (rarely pink) petals, rather like a sea star in appearance, and yields a highly fragrant essential oil.

SEAL III of Iceland

On September 13, 2012,  Iceland Post issued the third stamp series of Seal. The issue comprises of two postage stamps features the Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) and the Hooded seal (Cystophora cristata).

Seals are an aquatic carnivorous mammal of the families Otariidae and Phocidae (sometimes placed in a separate order, the Pinnipedia). The eared seals or sea lions (Otariidae) have small external ears, unlike the true seals (Phocidae). Seals have a streamlined body with thick blubber for insulation, and front and hind flippers.

The walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) is a large pinniped with distribution in the Arctic and sub-Arctic seas. Adult males reach a length of approx. 3 meters and weigh 800-1000 kg. The females are smaller than the males.

The most prominent feature of the walrus is its long tusks which can reach a length of 100 cm. The walrus occasionally catches fish but it grazes mainly along the sea bottom. Its only natural enemies are humans, killer whales and polar bears.

Walrus can reach an age of around 50 years. In current times they are rare around Icelandic coasts but were much more frequent up until the 19th century.

Wildflower of Ireland

Ireland Post issued the sixth definitive stamp series of Wildflowers of Ireland on March 1, 2007. The issue comprises of four postage stamps with denomination value 3c, 55c, 78c, and 95c. 

The species of wildflower depicted  are Yellow flag (Iris pseudacorus) on the 3c stamp,  Large-flowered butterwort (Pinguicula grandiflora) on the 55 c stamp, Black bog-rush (Schoenus nigricans) on the 78 c stamp, Lythrum salicaria (Purple loosestrife) on the 95 c stamp.

Yellow flag or Iris pseudacorus is an herbaceous flowering perennial plant, native to Europe, western Asia and northwest Africa, growing to 1-1.5 m (or a rare 2 m) tall, with erect leaves up to 90 cm long and 3 cm broad. The flowers are bright yellow, 7-10 cm across, with the typical iris form.

The fruit is a dry capsule 4-7 cm long, containing numerous pale brown seeds. Yellow flag is a species in the genus Iris, of the family Iridaceae.

The Land Crabs of Christmas Island

The land crabs of Christmas Island are remarkable for their abundance and the role they play in the ecology of the island's rainforest. Christmas Island is home to twenty-three land or freshwater crabs.

Australia Post issued the fauna stamp set for their territory , Christmas Island, on June 7, 2011 and features the specific species the Land Crabs which available in Christmas Island. The issue comprises of 4 postage stamps which depicted   Red crab (Gecarcoidea natalis),  Robber crab (Birgus latro), Jackson's crab (Karstarma jacksoni), and Blue crab (Discoplax hirtipes) .

Red crab  or Gecarcoidea natalis, is a species of land crab that is endemic to Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean.

Its carapace is up to 116 mm wide, rounded, and encloses the gills. The claws are usually of equal size, unless one becomes injured or detached, in which case the limb will regenerate.The male crabs are generally larger than the females, while adult females have a much broader abdomen (only apparent above 3 years of age) and usually have smaller claws.

Jelly Fish

In general, jellyfish are an important indicator species for the health of the ocean. When they occur in great colonies, or blooms, it can signify increasing pollution, and an ecosystem that is out of balance.

On June 12, 2008, Hong Kong Post issued the special stamp set featured jelly fish species. The issue comprises of 6 postage stamps depicted each jelly species i.e:  Flower hat jelly, Octopus jelly, Brown sea nettle, Moon jelly, Lion’s mane jelly, and Pacific sea nettle.

Flower Hat Jelly

The flower hat jelly (Olindias formosa) is a species of jellyfish occurring in the West Pacific off southern Japan. Flower hat jelly is one of the most 14 beautiful jellyfish in the world.

Flower hat jelly is one of a rare species of jellyfish. These invertebrate animals living in coastal waters. Characterized by lustrous tentacles that coil and adhere to its rim when not in use, the flower hat jelly's bell is translucent and pinstriped with opaque bands, making it easily recognizable.

The flower hat jelly can grow to be about 15 cm  in diameter. Its sting is painful but non-lethal to humans. Its diet consists of mostly small fishes and some marine invertebrates.

Hong Kong Flowers

In year 2008, Hong Kong Post issued the specific stamp set features the flowers which available in their country. The depicted flower species are Chinese hibiscus, Tree cotton, Allamanda, Azaleas, Indian Lotus, and Morning Glory.

Chinese Hibiscus

Chinese hibiscus or Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, is an evergreen flowering shrub native to East Asia. It is widely grown as an ornamental plant throughout the tropics and subtropics. The flowers are large, generally red in the original varieties, and firm, but generally lack any scent.Chinese hibiscus is the national flower of Malaysia, called Bunga Raya in Malay.

There are many varieties, cultivars, and hybrids  with flower colors ranging from white through yellow and orange to scarlet and shades of pink, with both single and double sets of petals.

Giant Panda–Ying Ying & Le Le

On July 1, 2008, Hong Kong Post issued the special stamp set to commemorate the handover of the cub pair of giant panda from the Central People's Government (CPG)  to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) . The issue comprises of 4 postage stamps depicted the cub of giant panda, Ying Ying and Le Le.

The giant panda has a very distinctive black-and-white coat, and adults measure around 1.5m long and around 75cm tall at the shoulder. Giant pandas live in mountainous regions, such as Sichuan, Gansu, Shaanxi, and Tibet. The panda has a diet that is overwhelmingly herbivorous. The giant panda eats shoots and leaves, living almost entirely on bamboo. The following  links shown how they are look very like to eat bamboo,  http://youtu.be/tyLrlFq-Jj8.

.The pair of giant pandas given by the Central People's Government (CPG) in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) arrived safely in Hong Kong on April 26 , 2007 from Wolong, Sichuan. At the handover ceremony , the "Name the Giant Pandas" were announced. The young male (No. 606) was officially named "Le Le" and the female (No. 610) "Ying Ying". The names were chosen from among 13,000 entries with 6,700 different pairs of names.

Hong Kong Butterflies II

On June 14, 2007, Hong Kong Post has issued the stamp set features butterflies which found in their country. The issue comprises of 5 (five)  postage stamps with various of the face value. The depicted butterflies are Faunis eumeus, Prioneris philonome, Polyura nepenthes, Tajuria maculata, and Acraea issoria.

Description of each depicted species can read more in the blog,  “Butterfly Stamps of The World”,  in article of  “Hong Kong Butterflies II”.

A stamp with value   $ 1.40  presents species Faunis eumeus,

A stamp  with value  $ 1.80  presents species Prioneris philonome.

A stamp with value $ 2.40 presents  species Polyura nepenthes

A stamp with value  $ 3.00 presents  species Tajuria maculata

A stamp with value $ 5.00  presents  species Acraea issoria

Flora of Slovenia - 2011

Slovenia Post issued the flora stamp set on March 25, 2011. The issue consist of three postage stamps depicted the flora of Slovenia, the common sundew, the common cranberry, Tussock cotton-grass and one souvenir sheet consist of one stamp depicts flora Bog rosemary.

Common sundew (Drosera rotundifolia)

The common sundew is a member of the sundew family (Droseraceae), and  as one of three varieties of sundew  that  are extremely rare species.The other species are  the English sundew and the spoonleaf sundew .

The common sundew grows in Slovenia.It is a protected species in Slovenia.They  are all perennial marsh and bog-dwelling plants with simple leaves in rosette patterns. The common sundew has small, white, hermaphroditic five-petalled flowers which bloom in narrow, sparsely-flowered inflorescences. The fruit is a single tapered seed.

Wildlife In Norway IV - 2009

On the early January 2009 , Norway post issued the regular stamp  set of wildlife series. The issue comprised of 3 postage stamps as the fourth series of wildlife series that feature Roe deer, Reindeer, Grouse.

Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) are the smallest of Norway’s deer. The roe deer is a relatively small deer, with a body length of 95–135 cm,  a shoulder height of 65–75 cm and a weight of 15–35 kg . It has rather short, erect antlers and a reddish body with a grey face. Its hide is golden red in summer, darkening to brown or even black in winter, with lighter undersides and a white rump patch; the tail is very short (2–3 cm), and barely visible. Only the males have antlers.The roe deer attains a maximum life span (in the wild) of ten years.

Reptiles of Aland - 2002

 

Aland Post issued the stamp set features reptiles series on January 2, 2002. The issue stamps composed of two postage stamps depicted the Smooth snake (Coronella austricia) and the Great crested newt (Triturus cristatus).

 

Smooth snake (Coronella austriaca)

Coronella austriaca ( smooth snake^[) is a harmless colubrid species found in northern and central Europe. but also as far east as northern Iran. In Finland, the species is found only on the Åland Islands. Colubridae is the largest snake family. Colubrid species are found on every continent except Antarctica.

Both sexes grow to an average length of about 50 cm .The head has a rostral scale that is at least as deep as it is wide, creating a triangular indentation between the internasals. The top of the head is covered with 9 large plates. Dorsally, the head has a somewhat heart-shaped marking that resembles an inverted V posteriorly. This shape is where the name Coronella comes from, which means coronet (a small crown).

Wildlife in Norway V - 2010

Regularly Norway Post issued the fifth of stamp set features wildlife on January 2, 2010. The issue comprise of 3 postage stamps with vary nominal value. The depicted species of wildlife are Otter (Lutra lutra), Lemming (Lemmus lemmus), Norwegian wolverine (Gulo gulo).

The Otter (Lutra lutra), with its long, streamlined body, is a better swimmer than most other land mammals. Unlike sea mammals, however, it has to surface often to breathe. Most dives last for less than 30 seconds. 

Fish are its most common prey, but it also hunts shellfish, amphibians and birds. Adult males weigh 6-12 kg and have a body length (minus tail) of about 70 cm. The otter can reach an age of 18 years.

They are most common in coastal areas in central and northern Norway.  The stock was then greatly reduced, but has gradually picked up again.

Trees in Medical Use – Dominica

On June 17,  2003, Dominica Post issued the stamp set features the medicinal plant tree. The issue  comprises of 4 postage stamps depicted the trees in medical use; such as : Hymenaea courboril, Spondias mombin, Genipa americana (Jagua), Guazuma ulmifonia (Guacima). 

Hymenaea courboril

Hymenaea courbaril  is a tree common to the Caribbean, Central, and South America. It is a hardwood that is used for furniture, flooring and decorative purposes.

Hymenaea courbaril produces an orange, resinous, sticky gum that converts to amber through a chemical process that requires millions of years. Hymenaea courbaril is a very hard wood measuring 5.6 on the Brinell scale , approximate measurements of hardness. Hymenaea courbaril wood features a tan/salmon color with black accent stripes that over time turns to a deep rich red color.