US #5444
2020 Triphora Trianthophorus – Wild Orchids (Coil)
- Pictures the three birds orchid (one blossom)
- 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)<... more
US #5444
2020 Triphora Trianthophorus – Wild Orchids (Coil)
- Pictures the three birds orchid (one blossom)
- 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 three birds orchid (showing one blossom), 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: Of all the North American flower species, some of the most stunning and mysterious are the orchids. One example is Triphora trianthophoros, commonly known as the “three birds” orchid or “nodding pogonia.” It’s known as one of the most striking of the genus Triphora, with small dark green to purple leaves and beautiful multicolored flowers. The two 2020 US stamps picturing this orchid feature white flowers with bright purple accents.
The three birds orchid got its name from the way the flowers grow. The scientific name trianthophoros means “bearing three flowers,” and that is usually how many blooms appear on each plant. While stunning, the flowers are generally less than one inch in size. It’s recommended to view them up close to appreciate their full beauty.
The three birds orchid is found from Panama all the way to Ontario, Canada. However, it is considered quite rare throughout its native range. The flowers are easily identified by their iconic shape – resembling three birds in flight. It’s amazing to think such a tiny orchid can be so complex and beautiful.
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