If you live in the United States, no doubt you’ve heard some mention of the ruckus surrounding the U.S. Postal Service in the past month or so. I’m not going to get into the politics of it (I’d like to keep my love of plants separate from politics, thank you) but I do believe that the postal system is a critical part of society’s (any society’s!) underlying infrastructure. Unfortunately, the decline of letter mail over the decades (which are the meat and potatoes of their revenue) has affected the USPS tremendously.
While buying stamps alone would not really be enough to provide sufficient funding to the USPS, even a little bit of support is better than none. And come one, how pretty are these orchid stamps? I kind of don’t want to even send them anywhere!
Each stamp features a photograph of nine orchid species that grow wild in the United States. All photos were taken by photographer Jim Fowler, a photographer, stamp collector and orchid lover.
Triphora trianthophoros. There are two photographs of this orchid in the stamp lineup, shown from different angles. This small terrestrial orchid has ephemeral blooms that last for only several hours a few days of the year
Cypripedium californicum. The California Lady’s Slipper is a terrestrial orchid that likes to grow on the margins of woodland streams and in damp coniferous forests.
Hexalectris spicata. Called The Crested Coral Root, this terrestrial orchid is myco-heterotrophic; meaning, it obtains nutrients from mycorrhizal fungi in the soil instead of generating its own. Because of this, H. spicata has no chlorophyll (or leaves for that matter).
Cypripedium reginae. The Showy Lady’s Slipper is considered “the Queen” of Lady Slipper orchids. (The species epithet reginae is Latin for “queen”). It is quite rare in North America due to habitat loss and over-collecting (poaching). Fortunately, modern science and technology has been used to cultivate and breed these orchids which will allow wild populations to recover.
Platanthera leucophaea. The Eastern Prairie White Fringed Orchid is a rare species that is listed as “Threatened” by the Endangered Species Act.
Triphora trianthophoros. A second photo from a different angle.
Platanthera grandiflora. The Greater Purple Fringed Orchid is a rare terrestrial species typically found in wetland environments and moist forests and fields.
Cyrtopodium polyphyllum, the Yellow Cowhorn Orchid, is a terrestrial species that is native to Brazil and has become naturalized in Florida. This is the only orchid in the stamp lineup that is not a native North American species.
Calopogon tuberosus, the Tuberous Grass Pink Orchid, is native to the east coast of North America. This species uses deception to attract pollinators. The yellowish hairs on the lip are believed to imitate pollen, thus attracting pollen-collecting bees.
Spiranthes odorata. Called Marsh Lady’s Tresses, this terrestrial orchid is native to marshes, bogs, swamps and similarly-moist environments. The small, fragrant, somewhat tubular white flowers are densely arranged in vertical, slightly spiral-like rows.
I was really excited to see that the Spiranthes odorata orchid was included in the stamp lineup. I have a plant of my own and it’s even more fascinating in-person. The spires of spiraling, crystalline white flowers is quite unusual. I’ve had my plant for about 2.5-3 years, and this year, it’s given me five separate inflorescences bursting with blooms!
Anyway, I digress. If you love these orchid-themed stamps, hop onto the USPS website and get some of your own! It may be a great excuse to break out your nice pens and stationery and write a letter to distant friends or family. With all that is currently going on with the pandemic, sending a handwritten letter would probably bring a lot of joy to your recipient. Or, perhaps use some of your stamps for a lovely botanical-themed or orchid-themed bullet journal spread? The choice is all yours! If you do use the stamps for anything creative and unique, share it with us in the comment section below!
Always Keep Growing,
Heather (a.k.a. The Botanical Chick)
