Taiwan FDC on "Flowers Postage Stamp (IV)"

First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia

Taiwan

Flowers Postage Stamp (IV)

Date of Issue : 12 May 2010

(From left to right, on top)
NT$0.5 stamp : Bauhinia variegata
This deciduous tree of the pea family (Fabaceae) is commonly known as the orchid tree, butterfly tree, or camel’s foot. Its leaves are either round or shaped like a wide heart with a cleft on both base and apex, so that they resemble the hoof of a goat. Its inflorescences, which are axillary, each have five pale pink petals, one with red purple veins. This sun-loving tree is a great ornamental and street tree

NT$9 stamp : Euphorbia milii
This evergreen shrub of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) is commonly known as crown of thorns. Its thick and erect stems are densely covered with thorns. Its leaves are long and ovate-shaped. What are commonly described as the plant’s flowers are actually brick-red bracts. The actual flowers are located inside the bracts and are either orange or yellow in color. Every part of the plant is poisonous. It prefers warm weather and is suitable to plant in containers or a hedge.

NT$13 stamp : Brunfelsia hopeana
This evergreen shrub of the nightshade family (Solanaceae) is commonly known as manaca. Its leaves are elliptical to obovate. The blooms are blue at first and fade to white gradually, giving the plant two colors of flowers at the same time. The flowers send out a faint fragrance at night. The plant’s roots, bark, stems and leaves are poisonous. It prefers warm weather and is suitable for ornamental planting in gardens, large containers, or as a hedge.

NT$17 stamp : Plumeria rubra
This small deciduous tree of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae) is commonly known as frangipani. The plant has thick branches and possesses a toxic milky sap. Its leaves are broad lanceolate to long elliptical. Its fragrant flowers, creamy white with a yellow center, have five oval-shaped petals, which have a propeller-like arrangement. This sun lover has a long flowering season, making it a great garden specimen.

Very nice flower FDC from Taiwan. On this FDC, there are also 2 flowers stamps on the bottom. One of these is a NT$2.5 stamp of "Flowers Postage Stamp (II)" (issued on 14 Oct 2009) featuring Bombax ceiba. Another one is a NT$12 stamp of "Flowers Postage Stamp (I)" (issued on 12 Mar 2009) featuring Tabebuia chrysantha.