Vietnam 2024 Tea

Vietnam has strong potential for developing long-term industrial crops due to its diverse land, climate, and crop ecosystems. To showcase the beauty and economic value of Vietnam's prominent industrial crops, the Ministry of Information and Communications decided to issue a series of stamps on this theme.

Among these, the tea plant is a key crop in many regions across the country, with large-scale cultivation and production areas such as Thai Nguyen, Son La, Phu Tho, and Lam Dong...

Tea products not only serve domestic consumption but are also exported to various international markets, providing a stable source of income for localities and enhancing the position and competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products in the global market.

The "Tea Plant" stamp set is designed using graphical methods, with two stamps depicting the formation and growth process from seed, plant, flower, and fruit, to tea products in everyday life.

The souvenir sheet depicts an ancient tea tree grown in a natural environment with fresh mountain climate conditions. The tea is harvested manually to produce Shan Tuyet tea, a unique speciality of Vietnam. The background of the souvenir sheet features the Long Coc tea hills (Phu Tho), renowned for their scenic beauty and as a source of tea material.

Singapore 2024 Critically Endangered Flora of Lowland Dipterocarp Forests

 The Sunda continental shelf (southern Thailand and Indochina, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Java, and Borneo) is home to a unique type of rainforest – the lowland dipterocarp forest.

These forests are characterised by the dominance of trees from the dipterocarp family and high floristic diversity from different plant families all nestled within diverse vegetation strata. Singapore was once covered by lush tropical vegetation, most of which, were lowland dipterocarp forests.

While Singapore may have lost much of our primeval vegetation during colonial times, our biodiversity continues to thrive, and new discoveries and rediscoveries are still being made today.

However, some species are considered Critically Endangered locally as they are survived by a few isolated populations. As part of Singapore’s Nature Conservation Master Plan, the National Parks Board (NParks) has put in place a Species Recovery Programme to help ensure the long-term survival of our rare and endangered native species in our City in Nature.

Four of these species featured in this stamp issue are Mucuna biplicate, Kadsura scandens, Piper porphyrophyllum and Artocarpus kemando.

Date of Issue: 26 April 2024

Denominations: 1 st Local, 80¢, 85¢, $2

Stamp Size: 29.85mm x 40.8mm

Perforation: 13

Paper: Unwatermarked

Printing Process: Offset Lithography

Printer: Secura Singapore Pte Ltd

Sheet Content: 10 stamps per sheet

Designer: Agnes Tan

Singapore 2023 Critically Endangered Flora of Freshwater Swamp Forests

 

In conjunction with the Festival of Biodiversity 2023, Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) launched a set of four stamps featuring Critically Endangered Flora of Singapore – Flora of Singapore’s Freshwater Swamp Forests on 27 May 2023 (Saturday).

Jointly organised by National Parks Board (NParks) and the Biodiversity Roundtable, the Festival of Biodiversity is an annual celebration of the community’s efforts to conserve Singapore’s natural heritage. This year, it will be held at Heartbeat@Bedok on 27 and 28 May 2023.

The four Critically Endangered flora species showcased in this stamp issue are on NParks’ Species Recovery Programme and were all found or rediscovered at Nee Soon Swamp Forest, Singapore’s last substantial patch of freshwater swamp forest located in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. They are:

• Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus pulcher): a popular native ornamental plant. It was believed to be extinct in the wild in Singapore until its rediscovery in 2013.
• Fagraea splendens: thought to be extinct in Singapore until its rediscovery in 2010.
• Singapore Kopsia (Kopsia singapurensis): first described by the first scientific director of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Henry Nicholas Ridley, from specimens in Singapore in 1894. It was collected in the wild in 1920 and was not seen again until 2011 when it was collected from the Nee Soon Swamp Forest.
• Red Salak (Salacca affinis): thought to be extinct in Singapore until its rediscovery in 2011.

The rediscovery of these four species and many others reflects the richness and resilience of Singapore’s habitats.

Singapore 2022 Rail Corridor Green Belt

1st Local – Bukit Timah Truss Bridge | Sterculia parviflora ( Common Sterculia )
2nd Local – Bukit Timah Railway Station | Dicrurus paradiseus ( Greater racket-tailed drongo )
70¢ – 9 Mile Platform | Prunus polystachya ( Bat’s Laurel )
90¢ – Railway Staff Quarters | Picus vittatus ( Laced Woodpecker )
$1.50 – Quarry Bridge | Leea indica ( Bandicoot Berry )

The first railway line in Singapore was opened in 1903, connecting Tank Road to Woodlands. By 1907, the railway was extended further south to the wharves in Pasir Panjang. The completion of the Causeway in 1923 enabled goods and passenger traffic to cross the Straits of Johor by train, eliminating the need for transfers to be made via ferry boats. In 1932, Tanjong Pagar Railway Station was officially opened, replacing the terminal station at Tank Road and became the centre for communities supporting the station and the railway.

 

The railway continued to connect downtown Singapore to Malaysia until June 2011, with the last train departed from Tanjong Pagar Railway Station on 30 June 2011.

 

Since then, URA embarked on a comprehensive community engagement exercise with members of the public for the development of the Rail Corridor. A recurrent theme that arose from the engagements was for the Rail Corridor’s built and natural heritage to be retained and enhanced.

 

The Rail Corridor also serves as an ecological corridor for biodiversity between ecological habitats such as the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Southern Ridges. The landscape along Rail Corridor has been carefully curated to reintroduce native plant species to conserve our natural heritage, as well as to provide food sources for our native wildlife. Some notable plant species can be spotted along the Rail Corridor include Singapore Kopsia (Kopsia singapurensis), Common Yellow-Stem Fig (Ficus fistulosa), Common Tree-Vine (Leea indica), Bat’s Laurel (Prunus polystachya) and Common Sterculia (Sterculia parviflora).

 

 

 

 

Date of Issue: 1 July 2022

Denominations: 1st Local, 2nd Local, 70¢, 90¢, $1.50

Stamp Size: 40.8mm x 29.85mm

Perforation: 13

Paper: Unwatermarked

Printing Process: Offset Lithography

Printer: Secura Singapore Pte Ltd

Sheet Content: 10 stamps per sheet

Designer: Ivory Seah

Indonesia 2021 Geography Indication Products

 

Kopi Arabika Lolosi Enrekang – South Sulawesi

Kopi Arabika Lolosi comes from the highland area of Lolosi in Enrekang Regency, South Sulawesi. Grown at high altitudes with cool temperatures, this coffee is known for its clean taste, medium acidity, and floral to fruity notes. The region’s volcanic soil and traditional farming methods contribute to its distinctive flavor profile, making it one of Sulawesi’s specialty coffees.

Mete Kubu – Bali

Mete Kubu refers to cashew nuts produced in the Kubu area of Karangasem, eastern Bali. The dry climate and rocky soil are well suited for cashew trees, resulting in nuts with a rich taste and good quality. Cashew farming is an important source of income for local communities in this region.

Cengkeh Minahasa – North Sulawesi

Cengkeh Minahasa is clove produced in the Minahasa highlands of North Sulawesi. This area has long been known for high-quality cloves, which are aromatic and rich in essential oils. Minahasa cloves play a significant role in Indonesia’s clove cigarette (kretek) industry and traditional medicine.

Teh Jawa Preanger – West Java

Teh Jawa Preanger is tea grown in the highlands of West Java, such as Bandung, Garut, and Sukabumi. Developed during the Dutch colonial era, Preanger tea is known for its refined aroma, smooth taste, and high quality. It has historical importance as one of Indonesia’s earliest export teas.

Vanili Kepulauan Alor – East Nusa Tenggara

Vanili Kepulauan Alor comes from the Alor Islands in East Nusa Tenggara. Grown naturally with minimal chemical use, Alor vanilla is valued for its strong fragrance and high vanillin content. Vanilla cultivation supports sustainable agriculture and local livelihoods in the region.

Pala Tomandin, Fakfak – West Papua

Pala Tomandin is a type of nutmeg native to Fakfak Regency in West Papua. Fakfak nutmeg is famous for its strong aroma and high oil content and has been traded since ancient times. Nutmeg is deeply connected to Fakfak’s cultural identity and remains an important economic commodity.

Singapore 2018 Native Gingers

 

Indonesia 2016 Spices

 

Malaysia 2016 State Definitive Series #5 Garden Flowers - Johor

Date of Issue : 25 February 2016

Stamp Value: 10sen, 20sen, 30sen, 40sen, 50sen, 60sen

Stamp Size: 27mm x 32mm

Perforation: 14

Sheet Content: 20 pieces

Miniature Sheet Value: RM5.00

Miniature Sheet Size: 100mm x 85mm

Stamp Size In Miniature Sheet: 27mm x 32mm

Miniature Sheet Perforation: 14

Stamp Paper: SPM Watermarked, Phosphor Coated

Paper: SPM Watermarked, Phosphor Coated

Printing Process: Lithography

Printer: Percetakan Keselamatan Nasional Sdn Bhd

Stamp Designer: Prof. Dato' Raja Zahabuddin Raja Yaacob

2009 Definitive#5 - National

2009 Definitives#5 - Complete 

2016 Definitive#5 - Johor

2016 Definitive#5 - Perak
2018 Definitive#5 - Kelantan

Malaysia 2014 Roses 2

RM5 Miniature Sheet · Hybrid Tea Rose

60sen  · Hybrid Tea Rose

Hybrid tea roses are cross-bred of two types of roses, initially by hybridizing hybrid perpetuals with tea roses.   It is the oldest group classified as a modern garden rose.  Hybrid tea roses are well-formed with large, high-centered buds, supported by long, straight and upright stems, ideal for cut flowers.  Each flower can grow to 8 – 12.5 cm wide.  Hybrid tea roses are the world’s most popular type of rose by choice due to their colour and flower form.

70sen · Grandiflora Rose

Grandiflora roses combine the vigor and blooming ability of floribundas with the beautiful blooms and long stems of hybrid tea roses.  Grandiflora roses grow 3 – 5 feet tall and bear 5 – 7 blooms in a candelabra-like arrangement on each long stem.  It makes excellent cut flowers and bloom more frequently than the hybrid tea roses.

RM1.20 · English Rose

English roses are densely filled with petals and most possess a strong fragrance that many hybrid roses lack due to the hybridization process.  English roses are a good choice for gardens.  Their full, intensely perfumed flowers also make sumptuous bouquets.

Technical Details

Date of Issue : 14-Feb-2014

Stamps

Denomination : 60sen, 70sen & RM1.20

Stamp size : 35mm x 35mm

Paper : Phosphor Coated, Security Stamp Paper

Printing Process : Litography

Perforation : 13.14 x 13.14

Sheet Content : 20 stamps

Stamp Designer : Reign Associates Sdn Bhd

Printer : Cartor Security Printer

Miniature Sheet

Value : RM5.00 (Heart shape stamp with fragrance)

Miniature sheet size : 80mm x 80mm

Stamp size in Miniature Sheet : 52.5mm x 50mm

Perforation : 13.3

First Day Cover  : 50sen

Folder  : RM6.00

Malaysia 2013 Salad

Ulam is a traditional Malaysian salad.  Parts of certain vegetables such as flowers, fruits, seeds, rhizomes, shoots or young leaves can be eaten raw as side dishes with rice.  Often taken as appetizer, it is a traditional believe that ulam is beneficial to health.

There are however many variety of ulam that are almost forgotten.   The stamp issuance is to highlight the benefits and importance of ulam especially amongst the younger generation. 

60sen • Pegaga/Pennywort ( Centella asiatica )

Pegaga is a well known traditional vegetable and a popular ulam.  Normally pegaga is eaten with sambal as a side dish with rice.  It is also an ingredient for the nasi ulam and nasi kerabu.   Ulam is also well known as a traditional medicine to treat skin disorder, burns, wounds, ulcer and as a tonic and diuretic.

60sen • Kacang Botol/Winged Bean ( Psophocarpus tetragonolobus )

Kacang botal  is a popular legume vegetable widely cultivated in villages and commercially.  The young pods are eaten raw as ulam with sambal.  The young pod, seeds, flowers and young shoots can be stir-fried or blanched with sambal too.

stamps

60sen • Petak/Stintbean ( Parkia speciosa )

Petai is mostly found growing wild in the forest.   The seeds are very strong-smelled, either eaten raw or cooked with belacan.  It is believed to have medicine value to treat liver disease, kidney inflammation and diabetes.

60sen • Pucuk Gajus/Cashew Shoots ( Anacardium occidentale )

Pucuk Gajus are the young leaves from the cashew nut tree.  It is popular as ulam, or as an ingredient in nasi ulam, nasi kerabu or laksa.

fdc

FDC • Peria Katak/Pennywort ( Momordica subangulata )

Peria katak has a smaller fruit than its cousin bittergourd, Momordica charantia.   The young fruit and shoots are eatern cook, steamed, boiled or eaten fresh.

folder

Folder 

• Jantung Pisang/Banana Inflorescence ( Musa paradisiaca )

Jantung pisang is the inflorescence of banana.  The inflorescence are separated,  blanched and eaten with sambal belacan. 

• Ulam Raja/King’s Salad ( Cosmos caudatus )

Ulam raja was brought by the Spaniards from the Latin America, reaching S.E.Asia from the Philippines.  The leaves are soft and pungent, often eaten as ulam with budu, sambal belacan, tempoyak or cincalok.

stamp sheets

Technical Details

Date of Issue :  25 July 2013

Stamp Value : 60sen (setenant) x 2 designs

Stamp Size : 35mm x 35mm

Stamp Sheet Content : 20 Stamps

Perforation : 14

Paper : SPM Watermarked, Phosphor Coated

Printing Process: Litography

Printer : Percetakan Keselamatan Nasional Sdn Bhd

Stamp Designer : Hazel Design Sdn Bhd

First Day Cover : 50sen

Folder : RM5.50

Philippines 2013 Pitches Plants

 

UK 2009 Plants : Species in Recovery

 

Vatican City 1992 Flora of the New World

 

Italy 1966 Trees & Flowers

 

Italian Stone Pine on the Palatine Hill

Pinus pinea, also known as stone pine or Roman pine but probably best known as umbrella pine, has epitomised the Eternal City for centuries. 

This coniferous tree originated in north Africa and was imported by the Etruscans.  Roman pines grow fast and,  water-resistant because of their resin.  The fruit of this tree: pine nuts, used today particularly in the production of pesto.

Olive at Villa Adriana, Tivoli

The extra virgin olive oil known as Olea Hadriani (Latin for Hadrian’s Oil) has long been produced from the olive trees spread over the Villa Adriana archaeological area in Tivoli, near Rome. The oil was included in the PGI Olio di Roma label.

Golden Marguerite

Anthemis is a genus of aromatic flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, closely related to Chamaemelum, and like that genus, known by the common name chamomile; some species are also called dog-fennel or mayweed. Anthemis are native to the Mediterranean region and southwest Asia east to Iran. A number of species have also become naturalized in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world.

Carnation

Dianthus caryophyllus  commonly known as carnation or clove pink, is a species of Dianthus native to the Mediterranean region. Its exact natural range is uncertain due to extensive cultivation over the last 2,000 years. Carnations are prized for their vibrant colors, delicate fringed petals, and enchanting fragrance.