Wednesday, January 22, 2020

South Florida to Host Dedication Of Wild Orchids Stamps on Feb. 21


The U.S. Postal Service will celebrate the beauty of Wild Orchids in South Florida on Friday, February 21. The First-Day-Of-Issue (FDOI) stamp dedication ceremony, free and open to the public, will take place at 11 a.m. at the American Orchid Society Library at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, FL 33156. 

News of these Forever stamps is being shared with the hashtags #OrchidStamps and #FlowerStamps. Employees who are interested in attending the FDOI dedication ceremony must do so as an off-the-clock activity. All attendees are encouraged to RSVP at usps.com/wildorchids.

Each stamp features a photograph of one of these nine species: Cypripedium californicum, Hexalectris spicata, Cypripedium reginae, Spiranthes odorata, Triphora trianthophoros, Platanthera grandiflora, Cyrtopodium polyphyllum, Calopogon tuberosus, and Platanthera leucophaea. Within the booklet, each stamp design is featured twice. The Wild Orchids stamps will be issued with 10 stamp designs in booklets of 20 and coils of 3,000 and 10,000.

Orchids are part of the largest plant family on Earth, and are beloved by plant experts and casual flower lovers for their gorgeous colors, unusual look, and delicate features. Orchids grow in many climates and thrive under a variety of conditions.

There are more than 30,000 species of wild orchids in the world, with more than 100 species native to North America. Many orchids native to North America are endangered or threatened, making sightings in their natural environment increasingly rare. These striking flowers are native to damp woodlands and numerous organizations across the country are working to preserve their habitats. Orchids also thrive in cultivated gardens or as houseplants.

No comments: