Reflections

Hello everyone! 

My theme for my eighth AtoZ challenge was inspired by an online talk by Daniel L Nikrent of Cornell University, USA held by Maharashtra Vriksha Samvardhini about Parasitic Flowering Plants featured on Stamps. 

I am not a stamp collector nor a fan of stamps. But I do love plants and feel sad about the 'plant blindness' that is so common. I hoped that my posts will encourage readers to look around them as they move around in their cities. Notice the trees/herbs/climbers their leaves, flowers and how the plants change with seasons. 

In this process, I was introduced to the world of stamps and found it is extremely fascinating. Even though I kept myself restricted to India Post stamps, during my research, I saw many lovely stamps from around the world. I learnt that there are stamps on gold/silver foil, 3D stamps, scented stamps, stamps on wood, fabric... Wow!  

Philately is indeed a wonderful hobby. It can also be a tool to introduce children to various topics. 

Several scholarly articles have been published that use stamps (from all over the world) to study other subjects like Palentology, Fossils and Minerals. I am sure this can be extended to Animals, Architecture, History etc. Just needs some creativity on part of the teachers.

I was a bit apprehensive if my readers would enjoy my posts and I tried to strike a balance between plant and stamp information. Idea was that all visitors would find the post interesting. 

Dear readers, a big Thank You for all your feedback! And encouragement! Most of you (and I) remember having collected stamps at some point as was evident in your shared thoughts. 😌

Some comments really stand out .. In my Q post, Timothy S Brannan commented that stamps were 'like tiny history lessons'. So true!! 

Viyoma has creatively used info from my posts which she commented on in my V post. I am so happy she found the post useful. 

Arlee Bird who has been collecting stamps for 60 years had most encouraging comments. In my B post he said, "In my years of stamp collecting I never acquired many stamps from India. This is a beautiful example of stamp art. A nice addition to any collection." 

A big Thank You to Afshan Shaik who has commented on every post!  

There were a couple of queries which I shall try to answer. 

In the T post, Radhika and Pradip Nair had commented about denomination of stamps. I consulted Dr Ajit Vartak - a famous geologist and stamp expert and Secretary of Maharashtra Vruksha Samvardhini in Pune. According to him, the denomination is based on prevalent postage rates. 

Jayashree had asked if Ashwagandha is used in Tea. Yes indeed. Apparently Ashwangandha Tea has huge health benefits but should not be consumed in case of immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women. Here is an article on this topic. 

Some other info about my theme. A general search on the Colnect site showed over 100 stamps by India Posts featuring plants. Of these more than 40 had botanical names on them, 30 had local names of the plants. I found 7 stamps with Roses and 3 with Jasmine. Other stamps had plants or flowers or fruits as part of overall stamp design. 

This is not a complete count.. there will be stamps that I have overlooked. 

There are many stamps that I could not include in my posts. These include many Orchids, Roses and medicinal plants. Stamps featuring trees like Cochlospermum religiosum , Chinar, Parijat, Coconut, Cotton, Coffee, Wild Guava also could not be included. 

Maybe I should showcase them in another post. 

Denominations have varied over the years. In my selection, 25INR was the highest in the Z post. 

Here is a cover that I have and been saving for the last post. It features the 2013-issued Round Leaf Asia Bell flower and is 5INR denomination. Its the only plant stamp that I possess. The plant is a native climber that grows in the Himalayas at 188-3600m elevation.

Codonopsis rotundifolia of the Campanulaceae family

Special Cover ' Mission Devrai' 

So that's curtains on the 2022 April AtoZ. I reconnected with 'old' AtoZ blogger friends and made new ones too! This year saw some awesome blogs. You can catch up on all the 2022 AtoZ bloggers here. 

Stay Happy folks! Stay Healthy! 

A ready reckoner for my previous AtoZ journeys:

2020 Experiences Of A First Time Grandma

2019 Caring For The Care Giver

2018 Contemporary AtoZ

2016 Herbs

2015 Gardens in Pune

2014 Exercising for Fitness

2013 Mixed Bag

Zoological Survey of India

   I am participating in the April AtoZ Blogging challenge and my theme is Plants featured on Indian Stamps. This is my eight attempt at the AtoZ and the focus is on plants. 

My theme is inspired by an online talk by Daniel L Nikrent of Cornell University, USA held by Maharashtra Vriksha Samvardhini about Parasitic Flowering Plants featured on Stamps. 

I am not a stamp collector nor a fan of stamps. Hence almost all my posts are purely based on research on the internet. I have tried to cross check the info before posting here. Please do share correct info and links to the same in case of discrepancy. 

India Post has a very strong network reaching deep deep into the interiors of the country and I depended on it for news from home when we were posted in far away places.  In this age of smartphones, Internet, how many of us really write letters - snail mail as they are now called? Despite this , I find that new stamps are being issued and we have stamps on diverse topics including Armed Forces, Films, Personalities, Wildlife, Handlooms, Handicrafts and so on.. It is amazing!

Today's selection may not strictly match my theme, but then, it is the last post, and Z is a difficult alphabet ... 

I am sure you will love this stamp and enjoy my choice! :-)

The Zoological Survey of India was set up in 1916 and India Post issued a commemorative stamp to celebrate its centenary year. With a denomination of 25 INR, it depicts a dense forest and wildlife therein. 

Post of India, GODL-India <https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf>, via Wikimedia Commons

In the same vein (stamps about Organisations/Institutes), here is a 1990- issued stamp of denomination 2 INR about the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. It shows blades of Wheat. Wheat is an important crop in the country and our diet. Wheat is Triticum aestivum of the Poaceae family.

Post of India, GODL-India <https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf>, via Wikimedia Commons

In 2002, on the occasion of the "8th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, New Delhi: Mangroves" four stamps with images of four different Magrove species were issued. 

And I do find a couple of Z there!

;-)

Jokes apart, I thought it is important to include Mangroves considering the threats they currently face. The four species are Brugeria gymnorrhiza, Sonneratia alba, Nypa fruiticans and Rhizophora mucronata.  

The India Postage Stamps website  has a complete catalogue of stamps. Please click the link to see many many wonderful stamps.

Colnect is a comprehensive portal for Stamp collectors. It gives detailed information about every listed stamp.  Click here for detailed info about Stamps - what is a stamp, types, formats, water marks, perforations and much more.  

This is the last post of the 2022 April AtoZ. 

Its been great having you here. 

Thank you one and all for your support and encouragement!

My Reflections post will be up on 2 May 2022. See you there!

Do keep visiting this space. It will be wonderful to hear your thoughts.

Stay Happy! Stay Healthy! 

Yellow?

   I am participating in the April AtoZ Blogging challenge and my theme is Plants featured on Indian Stamps. This is my eight attempt at the AtoZ and the focus is on plants. 

My theme is inspired by an online talk by Daniel L Nikrent of Cornell University, USA held by Maharashtra Vriksha Samvardhini about Parasitic Flowering Plants featured on Stamps. 

I am not a stamp collector nor a fan of stamps. Hence almost all my posts are purely based on research on the internet. I have tried to cross check the info before posting here. Please do share correct info and links to the same in case of discrepancy. 

India Post has a very strong network reaching deep deep into the interiors of the country and I depended on it for news from home when we were posted in far away places.  In this age of smartphones, Internet, how many of us really write letters - snail mail as they are now called? Despite this , I find that new stamps are being issued and we have stamps on diverse topics including Armed Forces, Films, Personalities, Wildlife, Handlooms, Handicrafts and so on.. It is amazing!

Y has proved to be the most difficult and I am taking the libertY of diverging awaY from plants with names starting with Y. whY? you maY well ask?

Obvious reason is that I was unable to find a stamp with a Y name plant. 

Another is that, I am using the above to showcase one of 11 commemorative 2017-issued stamps by India Post on Ramayan. One of the stamps shows Hanuman talking to Sita under a tree.

According to mythology stories, Sita was kept in a grove of Saraca asoca trees in Ravana's garden. This handsome native evergreen tree has flowers that are Yellow-orange and are extremely beautiful. The dark green leaves contrast beautifully with the blooms. Here is a flower image from mY collection. 

Saraca asoca is seen at many places in Pune, by roadsides and gardens. 

Its cousin Saraca thaipingensis has yellow blossoms. But I have not seen this tree. It is an introduced species in India but I have read that there is one in Bangalore's Lal Baug Botanical garden.

Here is the stamp of denomination 5 INR.

Post of India, GODL-India <https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf>, via Wikimedia Commons

Here is another stamp that shows a beautiful tree on Roadside. It could be a tree with  Yellow flowers or Yellow foliage. The stamp is part of Beautiful India series of denomination 15 INR and issued in 2017. 

https://postagestamps.gov.in/Stampsofyear.aspx?uid=2017

What could this Yellow tree be? The stamp doesn't offer many clues as to the location or season. Or maybe it is the artist's imagination! 

I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed researching and writing it!

The India Postage Stamps website  has a complete catalogue of stamps. Please click the link to see many many wonderful stamps.

Colnect is a comprehensive portal for Stamp collectors. It gives detailed information about every listed stamp.  Click here for detailed info about Stamps - what is a stamp, types, formats, water marks, perforations and much more.  

We meet tomorrow for the last Z post of the challenge and some lovely stamps. 

You can catch up with my previous posts here. 

Till then, Take Care and Stay Happy!  

X is for Xmas

   I am participating in the April AtoZ Blogging challenge and my theme is Plants featured on Indian Stamps. This is my eight attempt at the AtoZ and the focus is on plants. 

My theme is inspired by an online talk by Daniel L Nikrent of Cornell University, USA held by Maharashtra Vriksha Samvardhini about Parasitic Flowering Plants featured on Stamps. 

I am not a stamp collector nor a fan of stamps. Hence almost all my posts are purely based on research on the internet. I have tried to cross check the info before posting here. Please do share correct info and links to the same in case of discrepancy. 

India Post has a very strong network reaching deep deep into the interiors of the country and I depended on it for news from home when we were posted in far away places.  In this age of smartphones, Internet, how many of us really write letters - snail mail as they are now called? Despite this , I find that new stamps are being issued and we have stamps on diverse topics including Armed Forces, Films, Personalities, Wildlife, Handlooms, Handicrafts and so on.. It is amazing!

X . This alphabet has again been a bit of a stretch but I am sure you will love this stamp. And the tree! 

:-)

Xmas is a much loved festival all around the world. I love the Xmas trees and in fact we visited the US in winter 2021, just to see the lovely decorations and celebrations. 

Fir (Genus Abies), Spruce (Genus Picea) and Pine (Genus Pinus) are common conifers used as Xmas trees. This article describes some popular species used.

Here are some of the wonderful trees we saw.

At the Myrtle Beach airport

At Washington Dulles Airport

At Home

Here in India as well, Christmas celebrations are seen across the country with special decorations being put up in hotels, restaurants and markets. Special cakes and puddings and cookies are on sale. 

So its but natural to find this beautiful festival represented on our stamp. India Post's Season GreetingsIndia Post's Season Greetings stamp with a decorated Xmas tree was issued in 2016 of denomination 10 INR. 

Post of India, GODL-India <https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf>, via Wikimedia Commons

The India Postage Stamps website  has a complete catalogue of stamps. Please click the link to see many many wonderful stamps.

Colnect is a comprehensive portal for Stamp collectors. It gives detailed information about every listed stamp.  Click here for detailed info about Stamps - what is a stamp, types, formats, water marks, perforations and much more.  

We meet tomorrow for yet another beautiful plant and its stamp!

You can catch up with my previous posts here. 

Till then, Take Care and Stay Happy!  

Withania somnifera

I am participating in the April AtoZ Blogging challenge and my theme is Plants featured on Indian Stamps. This is my eight attempt at the AtoZ and the focus is on plants. 

My theme is inspired by an online talk by Daniel L Nikrent of Cornell University, USA held by Maharashtra Vriksha Samvardhini about Parasitic Flowering Plants featured on Stamps. 

I am not a stamp collector nor a fan of stamps. Hence almost all my posts are purely based on research on the internet. I have tried to cross check the info before posting here. Please do share correct info and links to the same in case of discrepancy. 

India Post has a very strong network reaching deep deep into the interiors of the country and I depended on it for news from home when we were posted in far away places.  In this age of smartphones, Internet, how many of us really write letters - snail mail as they are now called? Despite this , I find that new stamps are being issued and we have stamps on diverse topics including Armed Forces, Films, Personalities, Wildlife, Handlooms, Handicrafts and so on.. It is amazing!

Withania somnifera will be on my blog for the second time.. both as part of the AtoZ! :-) 

And here is its post from 2016.

Withania somnifera or Ashwagandha belongs to the Solanceae family and is of huge medicinal importance. It is a native perennial herb with branches growing radially on the main stem. Its green bell shaped flowers turn into orange fruit covered with a papery sepals. In Pune, I have seen it growing wild by the roadside. 

India Post issued a commemorative stamp in 2003 of denomination 5 INR.

Post of India, GODL-India <https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf>, via Wikimedia Commons

Wheat is an important component of our diet. To commemorate the Wheat Revolution, India Post released a stamp depicting wheat stalks and its increased production graph from 1951-1968. It is of denomination 20nP. 

India Post, Government of India (GODL-India <https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf> or GODL-India <https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf>), via Wikimedia Commons

The India Postage Stamps website  has a complete catalogue of stamps. Please click the link to see many many wonderful stamps.

Colnect is a comprehensive portal for Stamp collectors. It gives detailed information about every listed stamp.  Click here for detailed info about Stamps - what is a stamp, types, formats, water marks, perforations and much more.  

We meet tomorrow for yet another beautiful plant and its stamp!

You can catch up with my previous posts here. 

Till then, Take Care and Stay Happy!  

Vanda spathulata

  I am participating in the April AtoZ Blogging challenge and my theme is Plants featured on Indian Stamps. This is my eight attempt at the AtoZ and the focus is on plants. 

My theme is inspired by an online talk by Daniel L Nikrent of Cornell University, USA held by Maharashtra Vriksha Samvardhini about Parasitic Flowering Plants featured on Stamps. 

I am not a stamp collector nor a fan of stamps. Hence almost all my posts are purely based on research on the internet. I have tried to cross check the info before posting here. Please do share correct info and links to the same in case of discrepancy. 

India Post has a very strong network reaching deep deep into the interiors of the country and I depended on it for news from home when we were posted in far away places.  In this age of smartphones, Internet, how many of us really write letters - snail mail as they are now called? Despite this , I find that new stamps are being issued and we have stamps on diverse topics including Armed Forces, Films, Personalities, Wildlife, Handlooms, Handicrafts and so on.. It is amazing!

Vanda spathulata is a native Orchid belonging to the Orchidaceae family. It is an epiphyte and grows on trees in Southern India. It bears yellow flowers from September to January.

Several years ago, when posted in Assam, I remember seeing trees adorned with a bluish purple orchid and I was told it is called Vanda. Hence seeing this yellow flower was surprising. Some reading showed that the Vanda genus (obviously) has many members and the one I remmber was most probably the Vanda coerulea. I wish I had taken more interest in Botany in those days.. sigh...

Vanda spathulata aka Spoon Leaf Vanda finds a proud place on a India Post stamp issued in 1991 of denomination 5INR.

Post of India, GODL-India <https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf>, via Wikimedia Commons

The India Postage Stamps website  has a complete catalogue of stamps. Please click the link to see many many wonderful stamps.

Colnect is a comprehensive portal for Stamp collectors. It gives detailed information about every listed stamp.  Click here for detailed info about Stamps - what is a stamp, types, formats, water marks, perforations and much more.  

We meet tomorrow for yet another beautiful plant and its stamp!

You can catch up with my previous posts here. 

Till then, Take Care and Stay Happy!  

United Nations

  I am participating in the April AtoZ Blogging challenge and my theme is Plants featured on Indian Stamps. This is my eight attempt at the AtoZ and the focus is on plants. 

My theme is inspired by an online talk by Daniel L Nikrent of Cornell University, USA held by Maharashtra Vriksha Samvardhini about Parasitic Flowering Plants featured on Stamps.

I am not a stamp collector nor a fan of stamps. Hence almost all my posts are purely based on research on the internet. I have tried to cross check the info before posting here. Please do share correct info and links to the same in case of discrepancy. 

India Post has a very strong network reaching deep deep into the interiors of the country and I depended on it for news from home when we were posted in far away places.  In this age of smartphones, Internet, how many of us really write letters - snail mail as they are now called? Despite this , I find that new stamps are being issued and we have stamps on diverse topics including Armed Forces, Films, Personalities, Wildlife, Handlooms, Handicrafts and so on.. It is amazing!

As in every AtoZ challenge, a couple of alphabets are challenging and we end up stretching the theme so as to complete our AtoZ posts.

After the alphabet Q; I again, find myself in such a dilemma and am taking such liberty in the choice of stamps for todays alphabet U. Todays stamps, technically do not have flowers whose names start with U but I am sure you will enjoy knowing about these. 

In 1954, India post issued a stamp in honour of the United Nations Day of denomination 2 Annas. It bears a beautiful Lotus on it. 

Another stamp issued in 2020 of denomination 12 INR that depicts Nanda Devi  and Valley of Flowers National Park. The Valley of Flowers is the place to see the Blue Poppy and Brahma Kamal and many many more unique plants. 

Post of India, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Post of India, GODL-India <https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf>, via Wikimedia Commons

The India Postage Stamps website  has a complete catalogue of stamps. Please click the link to see many many wonderful stamps.

Colnect is a comprehensive portal for Stamp collectors. It gives detailed information about every listed stamp.  Click here for detailed info about Stamps - what is a stamp, types, formats, water marks, perforations and much more.  

We meet tomorrow for yet another beautiful plant and its stamp!

You can catch up with my previous posts here. 

Till then, Take Care and Stay Happy!  

Thespesia populnea

 I am participating in the April AtoZ Blogging challenge and my theme is Plants featured on Indian Stamps. This is my eight attempt at the AtoZ and the focus is on plants. 

My theme is inspired by an online talk by Daniel L Nikrent of Cornell University, USA held by Maharashtra Vriksha Samvardhini about Parasitic Flowering Plants featured on Stamps. 

I am not a stamp collector nor a fan of stamps. Hence almost all my posts are purely based on research on the internet. I have tried to cross check the info before posting here. Please do share correct info and links to the same in case of discrepancy. 

India Post has a very strong network reaching deep deep into the interiors of the country and I depended on it for news from home when we were posted in far away places.  In this age of smartphones, Internet, how many of us really write letters - snail mail as they are now called? Despite this , I find that new stamps are being issued and we have stamps on diverse topics including Armed Forces, Films, Personalities, Wildlife, Handlooms, Handicrafts and so on.. It is amazing!

Thespesia populnea or Indian Tulip Tree of the Malvaceae family is a handsome native tree commonly found on roadsides in Pune and in other parts of the country as well. It has lovely heart shaped leaves and yellow flowers that fade to deep pink. 

This tree has rightly been represented in a India Post stamp of Flowering Trees issued in 1993 of denomination 11 INR. 

Post of India, GODL-India <https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf>, via Wikimedia Commons

The India Postage Stamps website  has a complete catalogue of stamps. Please click the link to see many many wonderful stamps.

Colnect is a comprehensive portal for Stamp collectors. It gives detailed information about every listed stamp.  Click here for detailed info about Stamps - what is a stamp, types, formats, water marks, perforations and much more.  

We are at the last weekend of the month and our AtoZ blogging challenge. We meet on Monday for yet another beautiful plant and its stamp! 

You can catch up with my previous posts here. 

Till then, Take Care and Stay Happy!  

Saussurea obvallata

  I am participating in the April AtoZ Blogging challenge and my theme is Plants featured on Indian Stamps. This is my eight attempt at the AtoZ and the focus is on plants. 

My theme is inspired by an online talk by Daniel L Nikrent of Cornell University, USA held by Maharashtra Vriksha Samvardhini about Parasitic Flowering Plants featured on Stamps. I am not a stamp collector nor a fan of stamps. Hence almost all my posts are purely based on research on the internet. I have tried to cross check the info before posting here. Please do share correct info and links to the same in case of discrepancy. 

India Post has a very strong network reaching deep deep into the interiors of the country and I depended on it for news from home when we were posted in far away places.  In this age of smartphones, Internet, how many of us really write letters - snail mail as they are now called? Despite this , I find that new stamps are being issued and we have stamps on diverse topics including Armed Forces, Films, Personalities, Wildlife, Handlooms, Handicrafts and so on.. It is amazing!

Saussurea obvallata is commonly known as Brahma Kamal and belongs to the Asteraceae family. This prized bloom grows in the higher reaches of the Himalayas and the lucky few can see it in the Valley of Flowers trek. I have yet to visit the Valley of Flowers. 

Locally, in Pune, the Epiphyllum oxypetalum is called Brahma Kamal but that belongs to the Cactaceae family. A totally different species. It is beautiful and fragrant but it is not the real Brahma Kamal that is found at high altitudes. 

The stamp issued by India Post captures the beauty of this flower. Issued in 1982, it is of denomination 2.85 INR

Post of India, GODL-India <https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf>, via Wikimedia Commons

Sal or Shorea robusta of the Dipterocarpaceae family are handsome tall deciduous trees. Its wood is much sought after in India. Here are images from my collection of the Sal forest and Sal flowering from my visit to Corbett in 2016.

Sal forest

Sal in full bloom

The Sal tree finds itself on a 1987 stamp of denomination 5INR. 

Post of India, GODL-India <https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf>, via Wikimedia Commons

The India Postage Stamps website  has a complete catalogue of stamps. Please click the link to see many many wonderful stamps.

Colnect is a comprehensive portal for Stamp collectors. It gives detailed information about every listed stamp.  Click here for detailed info about Stamps - what is a stamp, types, formats, water marks, perforations and much more.  

We meet tomorrow for yet another beautiful plant and its stamp! 

You can catch up with my previous posts here. 

Till then, Take Care and Stay Happy!  

Rhododendron

  I am participating in the April AtoZ Blogging challenge and my theme is Plants featured on Indian Stamps. This is my eight attempt at the AtoZ and the focus is on plants. 

My theme is inspired by an online talk by Daniel L Nikrent of Cornell University, USA held by Maharashtra Vriksha Samvardhini about Parasitic Flowering Plants featured on Stamps. I am not a stamp collector nor a fan of stamps. Hence almost all my posts are purely based on research on the internet. I have tried to cross check the info before posting here. Please do share correct info and links to the same in case of discrepancy. 

India Post has a very strong network reaching deep deep into the interiors of the country and I depended on it for news from home when we were posted in far away places.  In this age of smartphones, Internet, how many of us really write letters - snail mail as they are now called? Despite this , I find that new stamps are being issued and we have stamps on diverse topics including Armed Forces, Films, Personalities, Wildlife, Handlooms, Handicrafts and so on.. It is amazing!

Rhododendron arboreum locally called Buransh of the Ericaeae family is the state tree of India's Uttarakhand state. It blooms in April/May every year, painting the mountains red - a great tourist attraction. Species growing in higher reaches differ somewhat. I was first introduced to them in the book Rebecca and since then they have fascinated me.  I remember going on a Garwhal trek just to see these glorious flowers. The juice of Buransh is said to have immense medicinal properties and is a must-have purchase for everyone visiting the region.

Here is an image from my collection

In 1977, India Post has issued a lovely stamp for this wonderful flower of denomination 50 np.

Post of India, GODL-India <https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf>, via Wikimedia Commons

The India Postage Stamps website  has a complete catalogue of stamps. Please click the link to see many many wonderful stamps.

Colnect is a comprehensive portal for Stamp collectors. It gives detailed information about every listed stamp.  Click here for detailed info about Stamps - what is a stamp, types, formats, water marks, perforations and much more.  

We meet tomorrow for yet another beautiful plant and its stamp!

You can catch up with my previous posts here. 

Till then, Take Care and Stay Happy!  

Queen?

 I am participating in the April AtoZ Blogging challenge and my theme is Plants featured on Indian Stamps. This is my eight attempt at the AtoZ and the focus is on plants. 

My theme is inspired by an online talk by Daniel L Nikrent of Cornell University, USA held by Maharashtra Vriksha Samvardhini about Parasitic Flowering Plants featured on Stamps. 

I am not a stamp collector nor a fan of stamps. Hence almost all my posts are purely based on research on the internet. I have tried to cross check the info before posting here. Please do share correct info and links to the same in case of discrepancy. 

India Post has a very strong network reaching deep deep into the interiors of the country and I depended on it for news from home when we were posted in far away places.  In this age of smartphones, Internet, how many of us really write letters - snail mail as they are now called? Despite this , I find that new stamps are being issued and we have stamps on diverse topics including Armed Forces, Films, Personalities, Wildlife, Handlooms, Handicrafts and so on.. It is amazing!

As in every AtoZ challenge, a couple of alphabets are challenging and we end up stretching the theme so as to complete our AtoZ posts.

At the alphabet Q, today, I find myself in such a dilemma and am taking such liberty in the choice of stamps to talk about. 

I have chosen two stamps depicting plants that the British have played a major role to make them major crops in the country. Namely Rubber and Tea. These two have been mentioned as plants that have influenced history in Prof PK Ghanekar's book "Itihas Ghadavinarya Vanaspati". 

Rubber or Hevea brasiliensis of the Euphorbiaceae family.  I have a dedicated a post to Rubber that you will surely find interesting. Do read here.

Here is another post that gives the history of Rubber's journey from South America to India and South East Asia.  

Post of India, GODL-India <https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf>, via Wikimedia Commons

Tea or Camellia sinensis of the Theaceae family is a naturalised species in India. This page on the Indian Tea Association website, describes how the British set up huge Tea plantations in India.

Post of India, GODL-India <https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf>, via Wikimedia Commons

After reading this info, and the British influence in development of these plantations in India, may be you will agree that Q is for Queen!

The India Postage Stamps website  has a complete catalogue of stamps. Please click the link to see many many wonderful stamps.

Colnect is a comprehensive portal for Stamp collectors. It gives detailed information about every listed stamp.  Click here for detailed info about Stamps - what is a stamp, types, formats, water marks, perforations and much more.  

We meet tomorrow for yet another beautiful plant and its stamp!

You can catch up with my previous posts here. 

Till then, Take Care and Stay Happy!  

Pterospermum acerifolium

I am participating in the April AtoZ Blogging challenge and my theme is Plants featured on Indian Stamps. This is my eight attempt at the AtoZ and the focus is on plants. 

My theme is inspired by an online talk by Daniel L Nikrent of Cornell University, USA held by Maharashtra Vriksha Samvardhini about Parasitic Flowering Plants featured on Stamps. 

I am not a stamp collector nor a fan of stamps. Hence almost all my posts are purely based on research on the internet. I have tried to cross check the info before posting here. Please do share correct info and links to the same in case of discrepancy. 

India Post has a very strong network reaching deep deep into the interiors of the country and I depended on it for news from home when we were posted in far away places.  In this age of smartphones, Internet, how many of us really write letters - snail mail as they are now called? Despite this , I find that new stamps are being issued and we have stamps on diverse topics including Armed Forces, Films, Personalities, Wildlife, Handlooms, Handicrafts and so on.. It is amazing!

Pterospermum acerifolium or Muchkunda of the Sterculiaceae family is a handsome native tree that is valued for timber and is also grown in parks and on roadsides. It has large stipulate leaves typically peltate and night blooming flowers are fragrant. Here is flower and leaf image from my collection.

The species rightly finds a place on our stamps. India Post released a commemorative stamp on this species in 2009 with denomination of 5 INR. 

Post of India, GODL-India <https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf>, via Wikimedia Commons

Potatoes are an important part of diet across the world. A lot of research must be going on into improving its crop, quality of tubers etc. India Post has issued a stamp on 50 years of potato research in 1985. 

Post of India, GODL-India <https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf>, via Wikimedia Commons

The India Postage Stamps website  has a complete catalogue of stamps. Please click the link to see many many wonderful stamps.

Colnect is a comprehensive portal for Stamp collectors. It gives detailed information about every listed stamp.  Click here for detailed info about Stamps - what is a stamp, types, formats, water marks, perforations and much more.  

We meet tomorrow for yet another beautiful plant and its stamp! You can catch up with my previous posts here. 

Till then, Take Care and Stay Happy!  

Ocimum sanctum

I am participating in the April AtoZ Blogging challenge and my theme is Plants featured on Indian Stamps. This is my eight attempt at the AtoZ and the focus is on plants. 

My theme is inspired by an online talk by Daniel L Nikrent held by Maharashtra Vriksha Samvardhini about Parasitic Flowering Plants featured on Stamps. I am not a stamp collector nor a fan of stamps. Hence almost all my posts are purely based on research on the internet. I have tried to cross check the info before posting here. Please do share correct info and links to the same in case of discrepancy. 

India Post has a very strong network reaching deep deep into the interiors of the country and I depended on it for news from home when we were posted in far away places.  In this age of smartphones, Internet, how many of us really write letters - snail mail as they are now called? Despite this , I find that new stamps are being issued and we have stamps on diverse topics including Armed Forces, Films, Personalities, Wildlife, Handlooms, Handicrafts and so on.. It is amazing!

Ocimum sanctum or Ocimum tenuiflorum of the Lamiaceae family is the Tulsi. A plant whose leaves are integral to several Poojas, as offerings to God. (Tulsi leaves are offered to Ganesha only on the Ganesh Chaturthi day, no other) The plant has immense medicinal value as well. It grows well in pots and in the ground as well. The much branched herb is a native and leaves are very fragrant. A variety of Tulsi has reddish leaves. 

Its but natural to find a stamp featuring the Tulsi. It is a part of a commemorative stamp of Indian medicinal plants set by India Post released in 1997 of denomination 2 INR.

Post of India, GODL-India <https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf>, via Wikimedia Commons

Six commemorative stamps on Orchids were released in 2016 of different denominations.

The India Postage Stamps website  has a complete catalogue of stamps. Please click the link to see many many wonderful stamps.

Colnect is a comprehensive portal for Stamp collectors. It gives detailed information about every listed stamp.  Click here for detailed info about Stamps - what is a stamp, types, formats, water marks, perforations and much more.  

We meet tomorrow for yet another beautiful plant and its stamp! You can catch up with my previous posts here. 

Till then, Take Care and Stay Happy!  

Nelumbo nucifera

I am participating in the April AtoZ Blogging challenge and my theme is Plants featured on Indian Stamps. This is my eight attempt at the AtoZ and the focus is on plants. 

My theme is inspired by an online talk by Daniel L Nikrent - of Cornell University, USA held by Maharashtra Vriksha Samvardhini about Parasitic Flowering Plants featured on Stamps. 

I am not a stamp collector nor a fan of stamps. Hence almost all my posts are purely based on research on the internet. I have tried to cross check the info before posting here. Please do share correct info and links to the same in case of discrepancy. 

India Post has a very strong network reaching deep deep into the interiors of the country and I depended on it for news from home when we were posted in far away places.  In this age of smartphones, Internet, how many of us really write letters - snail mail as they are now called? Despite this , I find that new stamps are being issued and we have stamps on diverse topics including Armed Forces, Films, Personalities, Wildlife, Handlooms, Handicrafts and so on.. It is amazing!

Nelumbo nucifera or the Lotus of the Nelumbonaceae family is India's national flower. It can be seen in several art forms like paintings and woven into saree borders. Lotus flowers are also offered in worship. In addition, its stem is edible so are its seeds. The flower and its leaves rise above the water level wherein they grow. It is common to see the Water Lily being sold as Lotus especially at times of festivals when the Lotus is used as Pooja offering. 

Here a couple of images from my collection.

Lotus fruit

Lotus leaf 

Our national flower is on a India Post stamp of denomination 25nP issued in 1977.

Post of India, GODL-India <https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf>, via Wikimedia Commons

The India Postage Stamps website  has a complete catalogue of stamps. Please click the link to see many many wonderful stamps.

Colnect is a comprehensive portal for Stamp collectors. It gives detailed information about every listed stamp.  Click here for detailed info about Stamps - what is a stamp, types, formats, water marks, perforations and much more.  

We meet on Monday after the weekend for yet another beautiful plant and its stamp! 

Over the weekend, you can catch up with my previous posts here. 

Till then, Take Care and Stay Happy!