Stamps featuring Rare Flowers of the Philippines

The Philippine Postal Corporation will issue a miniature sheet of eight stamps and a souvenir sheet featuring some rare flowers of the Philippines.

1. Medinilla magnifica – Commonly called rose grape belonging to the family of plants called Melastomataceae Juss., this shrub is a stunning flower endemic to the Philippines. It is usually found in high altitudes growing up to 6 feet. The shrub has either ribbed or winged stem and glossy green leaves with conspicuously pale veins. The flowers are breathtaking growing as a bunch of small pink clusters attached to large pink bracts sheltered by its curved leaves.
2. Strongylodon elmeri – Endemic in the thick forests of the country, this specie along with its more famous cousin Strongylodon macrobotrys (jade vine) are arguably the most beautiful flowers in the world. Strongylodon elmeri is a perennial climbing shrub belonging to the family Fabaceae. The flowers hang in bunches up to 90 cm and each with a spectacular clawlike shape measures up 7.5 cm. Bats usually pollinate these flowers.
3. Amyema incarnatiflora – Belonging to the family of Lorantacae, this particular specie calls the mountainous region of Cabadbaran in Agusan del Norte as well as the thick jungles of Cagayan province as its home. The bunch of slender pink flowers is a beauty forming a shape of a half open parasol.