2020 First-Class Forever Stamp,Wild Orchids (coil): Cyrtopodium polyphyllum

# 5436 - 2020 First-Class Forever Stamp - Wild Orchids (coil): Cyrtopodium polyphyllum

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US #5436
2020 Cyrtopodium polyphyllum – Wild Orchids (Coil)

  • Pictures the yellow cowhorn 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 yellow cowhorn 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 found growing wild across the United States.  Each species faces its own set of challenges, but the most difficult obstacle for these flowers to overcome is habitat destruction.

Florida is home to nearly 100 species of wild orchids.  Unfortunately, the draining of wetlands and increased urbanization threatens their survival.  One such genus having an especially hard time is Cyrtopodium.  Known as “cowhorn” or “cigar orchids,” they do not grow in soil, but instead require native tree bark with a specific fungus.

The two main species of Cyrtopodium in Florida are Cyrtopodium polyphyllum (the “yellow cowhorn” orchid) and Cyrtopodium punctatum (the “cigar” or “bee-swarm” orchid).  The bee-swarm orchid is native to the state, while the yellow cowhorn is originally from Brazil, but has been naturalized in south Florida.

Today, scientists and volunteers are working to replant wild orchids in Florida.  Since these flowers are notoriously difficult to grow in the wild or at home, scientists propagate them from seed in their labs.  Once the seedlings grow to a certain size, they are handed out to community volunteers.  The orchids are then planted where they have the best chance at survival.  Together, scientists and community members hope to restore this small piece of Florida’s natural beauty.

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US #5436
2020 Cyrtopodium polyphyllum – Wild Orchids (Coil)

  • Pictures the yellow cowhorn 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 yellow cowhorn 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 found growing wild across the United States.  Each species faces its own set of challenges, but the most difficult obstacle for these flowers to overcome is habitat destruction.

Florida is home to nearly 100 species of wild orchids.  Unfortunately, the draining of wetlands and increased urbanization threatens their survival.  One such genus having an especially hard time is Cyrtopodium.  Known as “cowhorn” or “cigar orchids,” they do not grow in soil, but instead require native tree bark with a specific fungus.

The two main species of Cyrtopodium in Florida are Cyrtopodium polyphyllum (the “yellow cowhorn” orchid) and Cyrtopodium punctatum (the “cigar” or “bee-swarm” orchid).  The bee-swarm orchid is native to the state, while the yellow cowhorn is originally from Brazil, but has been naturalized in south Florida.

Today, scientists and volunteers are working to replant wild orchids in Florida.  Since these flowers are notoriously difficult to grow in the wild or at home, scientists propagate them from seed in their labs.  Once the seedlings grow to a certain size, they are handed out to community volunteers.  The orchids are then planted where they have the best chance at survival.  Together, scientists and community members hope to restore this small piece of Florida’s natural beauty.