Ophrys kotschyi, Ophrys argolica elegans, Orchis punctulat and Epipactis veratri fulia , Wild Orchids of Cyprus Thematic Issue, Republic of Cyprus

Ophrys kotschyi, Ophrys argolica elegans, Orchis punctulat and Epipactis veratri fulia , Wild Orchids of Cyprus Thematic Issue, Republic of Cyprus

Postage stamps--Cyprus--History

Γραμματόσημα--Κύπρος--Ιστορία

Orchids, the beautiful wild flowers that grow on the trunks of rain forest trees can now be found all over the world where more than 30,000 species exist. The first orchid to reach Europe was the "Vanilla" brought by the Spaniards in 1510 A.D. from their Latin American colonies. Vanilla a most favoured flavour in confectionery is the cured seedpod of an orchid. The Chinese philosopher Confucius (c.551-478 B.C.) compared the company of good friends with a room full of fragrant orchids, and while in Chinese culture it is the symbol of the scholar, in Malaysia, the orchid Cymbidium Finlaysonianum was worn as a talisman to ward off evil spirits. In Cyprus, orchids can be found flourishing near Hala Sultan Tekke (Umm Haram), around the Akrotiri salt lake and across coastal plains between Limassol and Paphos. It is illegal to pick them and should never be disturbed from their habitat, as most likely they will not survive. Endemic to Cyprus is the orchid Orphrys kotschyi. Its flat black and white lip mimics the body of an insect in order to attract bees and pollinate the species. Each species has its own bee, moth, ant or bird to pollinate it. The Orchis Punctulata depicted on the 50m. stamp belongs to the European genus Orchis, a family of orchids that grow around the Mediterranean. In Turkey the underground tubers are dug and ground into powder called "salep", a musty juice like "ice cream" so stiff that it must be eaten with a knife.

Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus

Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία

Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus

Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία

Library of Cyprus University of Technology

Digital Heritage Research Lab of Cyprus University of Technology

6th July 1981

Designer: A. Tassos

Απαγορεύεται η δημοσίευση ή αναπαραγωγή, ηλεκτρονική ή άλλη χωρίς τη γραπτή συγκατάθεση του δημιουργού.

www.cypruspost.gov.cy

TIFF

EL, EN

Image

1981-WILD ORCHIDS-25-50...M

35.160417, 33.346556

Aspioti - Elka, Athens