# 5435 - 2020 First-Class Forever Stamp - Wild Orchids (coil): Platanthera grandiflora
US #5435
2020 Platanthera Grandiflora – Wild Orchids (Coil)
- Pictures the greater purple fringed orchid
- Part of the Wild Orchids set picturing nine orchid species native to the United States (one species shown twice)
Stamp Category: Definitive
Set: Wild Orchids
Value: 55¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: February 21, 2020
First Day City: Coral Gables, Florida
Quantity Issued: 15,000,000 OR 50,000,000
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Coils of 3,000 OR Coils of 10,000
Perforations: Serpentine die cut 10 ¾ vertically
Tagging: Nonphosphored type III
Why the stamp was issued: To showcase the beauty and diversity of different species of wild orchids.
About the stamp design: Pictures a photograph by Jim Fowler of the greater purple fringed orchid, a species that grows wild in the United States.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held in Coral Gables, Florida, home to the headquarters of the American Orchid Society.
About the Wild Orchids set: Includes 10 stamps picturing photographs by Jim Fowler of nine different orchids (one species shown twice) native to the United States. Species include: the three birds (pictured twice), California lady’s slipper, crested coralroot, showy lady’s slipper, marsh lady’s tresses, eastern prairie fringed, greater purple fringed, grass pink, and yellow cowhorn orchids. These are all beautiful wildflowers that most people don’t get the opportunity to see. They’re all hard to find today.
History the stamp represents: Orchids are some of nature’s most beautiful creations. They come in a wide variety of colors and shapes, and, between the different species, they can handle almost every climate on Earth.
Some of the showiest orchids are the “butterfly” or “fringed” orchids. There are about 100 species included in this group altogether. These orchids feature multiple small flowers on the same plant, usually blooming from a single central spike-like stem. They are native to the non-tropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Butterfly and fringed orchids can be found growing in a wide range of habitats. They grow strongly in basic soils all the way to very acidic swamps and bogs. Some prefer forest glens, while others thrive on the open tundra. Regardless, all species need moist soil and will not survive in dry or desert climates. Approximately 37 species are known to grow wild in North America north of Mexico. One example is Platanthera grandiflora.
Commonly called the “greater purple fringed” orchid, Platanthera grandiflora grows from Ontario south to northeast Georgia. It is known for its striking purple flowers, which stand out and make the entire surrounding area a sight to behold.
US #5435
2020 Platanthera Grandiflora – Wild Orchids (Coil)
- Pictures the greater purple fringed orchid
- Part of the Wild Orchids set picturing nine orchid species native to the United States (one species shown twice)
Stamp Category: Definitive
Set: Wild Orchids
Value: 55¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: February 21, 2020
First Day City: Coral Gables, Florida
Quantity Issued: 15,000,000 OR 50,000,000
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Coils of 3,000 OR Coils of 10,000
Perforations: Serpentine die cut 10 ¾ vertically
Tagging: Nonphosphored type III
Why the stamp was issued: To showcase the beauty and diversity of different species of wild orchids.
About the stamp design: Pictures a photograph by Jim Fowler of the greater purple fringed orchid, a species that grows wild in the United States.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held in Coral Gables, Florida, home to the headquarters of the American Orchid Society.
About the Wild Orchids set: Includes 10 stamps picturing photographs by Jim Fowler of nine different orchids (one species shown twice) native to the United States. Species include: the three birds (pictured twice), California lady’s slipper, crested coralroot, showy lady’s slipper, marsh lady’s tresses, eastern prairie fringed, greater purple fringed, grass pink, and yellow cowhorn orchids. These are all beautiful wildflowers that most people don’t get the opportunity to see. They’re all hard to find today.
History the stamp represents: Orchids are some of nature’s most beautiful creations. They come in a wide variety of colors and shapes, and, between the different species, they can handle almost every climate on Earth.
Some of the showiest orchids are the “butterfly” or “fringed” orchids. There are about 100 species included in this group altogether. These orchids feature multiple small flowers on the same plant, usually blooming from a single central spike-like stem. They are native to the non-tropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Butterfly and fringed orchids can be found growing in a wide range of habitats. They grow strongly in basic soils all the way to very acidic swamps and bogs. Some prefer forest glens, while others thrive on the open tundra. Regardless, all species need moist soil and will not survive in dry or desert climates. Approximately 37 species are known to grow wild in North America north of Mexico. One example is Platanthera grandiflora.
Commonly called the “greater purple fringed” orchid, Platanthera grandiflora grows from Ontario south to northeast Georgia. It is known for its striking purple flowers, which stand out and make the entire surrounding area a sight to behold.