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Parasitic Flowering Plants on Postal Stamps: Vehicles for Learning


Affiliations
1 Plant Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
2 Maharashtra Vruksh Samvardhini, Pune 411 001, India
 

It is proposed that philately and the study of parasitic plants can be conflated for educational purposes. Of the 12 lineages of parasitic flowering plants, eight are currently represented on postal stamps. The most frequent genus seen on stamps is Rafflesia, closely followed by Viscum. These stamps convey messages about the history and importance of parasitic plants such as witchweed (Striga), sandalwood and mistletoes. Some of the parasitic plants are beautiful wildflowers such as Castilleja, Euphrasia and Pedicularis, whereas many mistletoes in Loranthaceae have flowers that rival orchids. Countries with rich parasite floras that currently do not have stamps featuring these plants should consider them as worthy subjects.

Keywords

Botanical Diversity, Educational Purpose, Parasitic Angiosperm, Philately, Plant Blindness.
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  • Parasitic Flowering Plants on Postal Stamps: Vehicles for Learning

Abstract Views: 322  |  PDF Views: 142

Authors

Daniel L. Nickrent
Plant Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
Ajit Vartak
Maharashtra Vruksh Samvardhini, Pune 411 001, India

Abstract


It is proposed that philately and the study of parasitic plants can be conflated for educational purposes. Of the 12 lineages of parasitic flowering plants, eight are currently represented on postal stamps. The most frequent genus seen on stamps is Rafflesia, closely followed by Viscum. These stamps convey messages about the history and importance of parasitic plants such as witchweed (Striga), sandalwood and mistletoes. Some of the parasitic plants are beautiful wildflowers such as Castilleja, Euphrasia and Pedicularis, whereas many mistletoes in Loranthaceae have flowers that rival orchids. Countries with rich parasite floras that currently do not have stamps featuring these plants should consider them as worthy subjects.

Keywords


Botanical Diversity, Educational Purpose, Parasitic Angiosperm, Philately, Plant Blindness.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv121%2Fi12%2F1538-1548