Miniature
Sheets of 8 (35,000)
7p Medinilla magnifica
7p Strongylodon eimeri
7p Amyema incarnatiflora
7p Dillenia monantha
7p Xanthostemon fructicosus
7p Plumiera acuminata
7p Pahiopedilum adductum
7p Rafflessia manillana
Souvenir Sheets of
1 (8,000)
26p The Life Cycle of Rafflesia (World's largest flower)
Designers: Vic Cerevo, Jesus "Pidoy"
de los Santos
Graphic Designer: Richard Allen
Baron
Design Coordinator: Dr. Ngo Tiong
Tak
Rare Flowers of the Philippines
provided by Parks and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB)
First Day Covers: Manila
RARE FLOWERS FROM THE PHILIPPINES
Medinilla magnifica. Commonly
called rose grape belonging to the family of plants called
Melastomataceae Juss., this shrub is a stunning flower endemic to
the Philippines. It is usually found in high altitudes growing up to
6 feet. The shrub has either ribbed or winged stem and glossy green
leaves with conspicuously pale veins. The flowers are breathtaking
growing as a bunch of small pink clusters attached to large pink
bracts sheltered by its
curved leaves.
Strongylodon elmeri. Endemic in the thick forests of the
country, this specie along with its more famous cousin Strongylodon
macrobotrys (jade vine) are arguably the most beautiful flowers in
the world. Strongylodon elmeri is a perennial climbing shrub
belonging to the family Fabaceae. The flowers hang in bunches up to
90 cm and each with a spectacular clawlike shape measures up 7.5 cm.
Bats usually pollinate these flowers.
Amyema incarnatiflora. Belonging to the family of Lorantacae,
this particular specie calls the mountainous region of Cabadbaran in
Agusan del Norte as well as the thick jungles of Cagayan province as
its home. The bunch of slender pink flowers is a beauty forming a
shape of a half open parasol.
Dillenia monantha. This specie is unique to the Philippines
and produces only a single flower. Monantha after all is derived
from the Greek words mono (one) and anthos (flower). The richly hued
yellow flower is a spectacular sight thanks largely to the bottom
colors that resemble a spider.
Xanthostemon fructicosus. Belonging to the family called
Myrtaceae, this specie can call 3,000 other species as its close
kin; many of them grow in Australia as well as in Mediterranean and
America. This particular specie can be set apart, however, by its
spectacular foliage that comes in red bunches of individual
actinomorphous (spreading symmetrically) flowers.
Plumiera acuminate. Generally found in the tropics, Plumiera
acuminate (sometimes known as Plumeria rubra and Plumeria acutifolia)
is specie of Frangipani otherwise locally known as kalachuchi.
Frangipanis are known to have eight (8) species found in tropical
Americas; South and Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. With
white and yellow colors, Plumiera acuminata is more closely
identified with the common frangipanis. The flowers are very
fragrant and a source of scent for perfumes. They have no nectars
but scent lure potential pollinators that would go from flower to
flower searching for food in vain but transferring the pollens in
the process.
Pahiopedilum adductum. A member of the Orchidaceae family and
is endemic to the Philippines. Usually found in tropical moist
lowland forest, the scientific name is derived from the fact that it
belongs to the family of orchids and that the shape of its staminode
(vestigial stamen) is severely adducted that is severely bent
backwards.
Rafflessia manillana.
The scientific name of this specie is
derived from its genus rafflesia (named after Sir Stamford Raffles,
founder of Singapore, who first obtained a specimen) and from the
city of Manila. Although Rafflesias can be found in various forests
in Southeast Asia, this particular specie is the world's largest and
endemic. It has a foul-smelling flower and is pollinated by carrion
flies.