Illustrated by Ian Loe, with typography by Steve Simpson, each of the four new stamps features a species of fungus found in Ireland: the Pink Waxcap (Hygrocybe calyptriformis), the Parasol (Macrolepiota procera), the Orange Birchbolete (Leccinum versipelle) and the Scarlet Elfcup (Sarcoscypha austriaca).
There are 2 x 55c se-tenant stamps and an 82c stamp available in this issue. Also available is a superb minisheet which features a 95c stamp and two First Day Covers. Collectors will be interested to note that the 95c stamp is ONLY available on the minisheet. All of the wonderful products for the Fauna & Flore - Fungi series are always popular, so make sure you don't miss out. Order yours now!
Neither plants nor animals, fungi are a very large group of organisms that occur in all habitats on the planet. Fungi cannot photosynthesise like plants and accordingly live by accessing the nutrients in both living organisms and dead matter. They are mostly microscopic and invisible to the naked eye; most of what we see of them are their reproductive structures whose function is to both form and bring about dispersal of spores, the propagative units. Fungi are vitally important in the biosphere as decomposers recycling nutrients. Most plants are dependent for their survival on fungi associated with their roots. Additionally, in nature fungi provide a major food source for animals and insects. They also provide a food source for us and are used in food processing. The products of the biotechnological applications of fungi are numerous and beneficial, such as antibiotics, statins, enzymes. Increasingly fungi are being used in bioremediation projects, decontaminating polluted industrial sites.
Mushrooms and toadstools are the largest and most visible type of fungus, and the kind with which we will be most familiar. What is the difference? It is often said that mushrooms are edible. While toadstools are poisonous, but there is no clear distinction, and certainly none that is recognised scientifically. The four species illustrated on the stamps were chosen not only with artistic and design criteria in mind but also conscious of the biology of each fungus.
Date of Issue 01 August, 2008
0 comments:
Post a Comment