Fruits of Fiji

Fiji Post Limited proudly to issue a set of five stamps feature the Fiji’s edible fruits on December 02, 2010.  

The issue stamps are depicting fruit species, Moli kana or Citrus maxima (20c) , Vutu kana or Barringtonia edulis (40c), Dawa or Pometia pinnata (65c), Fei ( banana) or Musa troglodytarium ($1.20), Kavika or Syzgium malaccense ($10).


There are more then 18 native tree species with edible fruits in Fiji. The majority of these species are thought to be of aboriginal introduction, brought in by early indigenous settlers to Fiji.

Moli kana or Citrus maxima   flowers and fruits throughout the year. The scraped root is used as an internal remedy for hemorrhoids in the island of Taveuni. The fruit is eaten as a dessert fruit and also used for marmalade. This native tree can grow up to 12 m tall bearing edible fruits 10-30 cm wide. The fruit is very thick peel and pale yellow or pink pulp.

Flowers of the Bahamas Garden

Bahamas Postal Administration issued a set of four stamps feature the flower of Bahamas Garden on May 25, 2004. The flower species shown on stamps are Cattleya, Hibiscus, Canna, and Thunbergia.

Cattleyas are widely known for their large, showy flowers, and were used extensively in hybridization for the cut-flower trade  when pot plants became more popular.The flowers of the hybrids can vary in size from 5 cm to 15 cm or more. Cattleya is a genus of 113 species of orchids from Costa Rica to tropical South America. Cattleya presents in all colors except true blue and black.

The typical charateristic of  this  flower has three rather narrow sepals and three usually broader petals: two petals are similar to each other, and the third is the quite different conspicuous lip. Cattleyas have been hybridized both within the genus and with related genera for more than a century.

2012 Children's Health: New Zealand Sea Lion

 
 

New Zealand Post is proud to continue to support Te Puna Whaiora as  The New Zealand Foundation for Child and Family Health and Development with its annual Children’s Health stamp issue.

Therefore New Zealand Post issued the 2012 Children’s Health stamp issue features the New Zealand sea lion on the first of August 2012. The mother of sea lion (as shown in above miniature sheet) is shown sniffing her pup for recognition before taking her for feeding. Just like children, pups are dependent on their mothers for protection, and this unique product portrays the close relationship they share.

 

The 70c gummed stamp presents a New Zealand sea lion pup in the Sub-Antarctic Islands.

Sea lions live all over the world whether in the wild, in marine parks, and sometimes even in cities. However, the New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) or whakahao lives only in New Zealand and is sadly listed as nationally critical.

It is monotypic of its genus.The primary habitat of New Zealand Sea Lions is several sub-Antarctic islands south of New Zealand and their surrounding waters. The breeding pattern of sea lions is very similar to that of fur seals, with males arriving in November to set up territories. Females give birth to single pups every one or two years, and pups are born in December and January each year. 

Endemic Palm of Fiji – Balaka Palm

Balaka is a genus of about seven species in the palm family, Arecaceae or Palmae. Five species are native to the islands of Fiji and two to Samoa. Endemic to Fiji. They are widely distributed throughout rainforest areas in Vanua Levu and Taveuni Islands with high rainfall from 140 meters and more in elevation.

Post Fiji Limited  broadcast this plant by issuing one miniature sheet consist of two stamps, features Balaka Palm , Balaka seemannii on April 29, 2002.

Fiji Goshawk

Post Fiji Limited  proudly to release a set of four stamps feature the endemic bird of prey on  September  10, 2002.  The issued stamps depict the Fiji Goshawk as endemic bird to Fiji, presenting the chicks to the adult bird. These are beautiful bird stamps.

 

The Fiji Goshawk (Accipiter rufitorques) is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family. It is endemic to Fiji, where it occurs on the larger islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Kadavu, Gau and Ovalau.

Their habitat is  a range of wooded habitats in Fiji, from natural rainforest to coconut plantations and urban gardens and parks.

Sea Eagle of Lithuania Red Book.

 

On October 08, 2011, Lithuania Post Office issued one stamp features a rare bird species  which listed in the Lithuanian Red Book, White-tailed Eagle also called Sea Eagle or Haliaeetus albicilla.

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)  is a large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. Lithuania's first sea eagle's nest was found in  Čepkeliai Reserve.

The territory of the White-tailed Eagle ranges between 30 and 70 km², normally in sheltered coastal locations. Sometimes they are found inland by lakes and along rivers. Nests in trees growing close to the open areas: wetlands , harvesting, forest parks. They feed on fish, water birds, mammals.

Forest – Europa 2011 Gibraltar

 

To support the declaration of the United Nations to save forest for future generations, Gibraltar Post under Europa stamp organization  pleased to release a set of four stamps features the famous forest which found in the world on April 04, 2011. The issue stamps depict the Alpine Swiss National Park, the Amazon Rainforest, Yosemite National Park, and the Plitvice Lakes.

 

The Alpine Swiss National Park is located in the canton of Graubünden in the east of Switzerland between Zernez, S-chanf, Scuol and the Fuorn Pass in the Engadin valley on the border with Italy. It has an area of 174.2 km² and is the largest protected area of the country. It was founded on 1 August 1914, the national holiday of Switzerland. It was one of the earliest national parks in Europe.



 
 

Trees of Ireland

Ireland Post annually issued the stamps feature fauna and flora series since 1978. On March 7, 2006, they launched  subject , flora theme, ” Trees of Ireland “ on four postage stamp, one miniature sheet and one First Day Cover. The issue stamps featuring Ireland’s Tree species, such as: Sessile oak, Strawberry-tree, Ash, and Yew.

The Yew (Taxus baccata) is one of Ireland’s native evergreen conifers. Its dark green leaves are striking in appearance, long and narrow and complemented by scarlet berries and mahogany-coloured bark.

Yew makes an excellent hedge, but its leaves and seeds are poisonous which makes it a hazard for children and livestock. Yew found in woods, but  easily found almost close to the old churches in Ireland.