Aland 2013 Water Lilies
- Issue Date : 4 June 2013
- Designed by : Tiina Tahvanainen
- Printed by : Cartor Security Printing
- Print Process : 4-colour offset lithography
- Perforations : 13
- Format: sheets of 32 (2 panes of 16)
- Quantity issued: 170,000 each design
- Dimensions: 40 mm x 25.5 mm
Contents
Description
Water lilies belong to the Nymphaeaceae family and grow in shallow water and wetlands, with its roots in the sediment and its leaves and flowers floating on the water surface. There are about 60 species of water lilies around the world. The white (Nymphaea) and yellow (Nuphar) water lilies are among the most primitive dicotyledons with features such as a large number of floral leaves arranged in concentric circles.
After flowering, the pedicel coils and drags the flower under water where the fruit develops. When the seeds are ripe and released they rise back to the surface. The seeds float with the help of an air-filled aril and are dispersed by waves and current. Eventually they sink and germinate in the bottom mud.
Stamps
Single Stamps
White Water Lily
The flowers of the white water lily are bright white, and the blade of the floating leaves is 10–30 cm long. The white water lily thrives in about 20 to 30 lakes in Åland and can also be found in marshes on many archipelago islands.
Yellow Water Lily
The blade of the floating leaves of the yellow water lily is 15 to 30 cm long and more elliptic compared to the leaves of the white water lily. The fragrant yellow flower measures 4–6 cm across. More common than the white water lily, the yellow water lily grows in about 50 lakes in Åland. Its floating leaves can cover large areas up to an acre in size.
Gutter Strips
First Day Cover
