[Hilary]

Sophora microphylla, Kowhai

This stamp was issued in 1960-63 by New Zealand and again, in a different currency, in 1967-68

Interesting  information about Sophora microphylla and superb photos can be seen here
http://www.terrain.net.nz/friends-of-te-henui-group/trees-native-botanical-names-r-to-z/kowhia.html

Sophora are mentioned generally in TMG but not specifically this one, so again I point you to the discussion Caroline and I had about plants from New Zealand  here
http://www.mgsforum.org/smf/index.php?topic=1986.0

[Caroline]

Here is a photo of kowhai in flower in early September, when there is little else to see.  It's a beautiful tree when well-covered in flowers. I planted five along my drive not long after I moved in - two are thriving, two are doing OK, and one died last summer from the combination of drought and rabbits nibbling the bark    .  My long list of things to do this winter includes replanting a fifth kowhai...

[Hilary]

Great to see a photo of a plant depicted on a stamp and that from a member's garden.
Two or three more flowery New Zealand stamps  coming  soon

[Fermi]

Australia Post is releasing a new set of stamps featuring Australian succulents.
Follow the link for a preview:
http://australiansucculents.com/articles-news/stamps
cheers
fermi

[Hilary]

Interesting
I liked

emu chicks in arid regions rely totally on calandrinias for the first six weeks of their lives

[Hilary]

Hibiscus trionum, Puarangi

 A stamp issued by New Zealand in 1967-78. There were nine stamps featuring flowering plants in the series LOCAL  MOTIFS, of which I have four.

Interesting information about this plant can be found here
http://www.terrain.net.nz/friends-of-te-henui-group/plants-native-botanical-names-g-to-l/hibiscus-richardsonii-puarangi.html

Hibiscus trionum is mentioned in THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN, issue number 20, April 2000 as being a suitable plant to include in a white Mediterranean garden.
CREATING A WHITE GARDEN
 IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
By Duncan Ackery

[Hilary]

Celmisia coriacea, Pikiarero.
A stamp issued by New Zealand in 1967-68

Information about this plant can be found here
http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora_details.aspx?ID=1617

I didn’t find any information about this plant in either TMG or this Forum so the only excuse I have for including it here is that I want to and that it is from New Zealand.

[Caroline]

 I can't provide a photo of any of the Celmisia species growing in my garden as my conditions are totally unsuitable. It's also called Mountain Daisy, which says it all i.e. likes cold winters, dry conditions and very free draining soil.  There is one species which grows on the coast, but much further south, and tucked into crevices. 

[Hilary]

Hebe salicifolia, Koromiko

The last stamp I have of the series LOCAL MOTIFS issued by New Zealand in
1967-68

Interesting information and superb photos can be seen here
http://www.terrain.net.nz/friends-of-te-henui-group/hebes/hebe-salicifolia-koromiko-south-island.html

I found a reference to this shrub in THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN number 38, October 2004

THE EXPERIMENTAL MEDITERRANEAN
 GARDEN OF PIERO CANETI
By Virginia Scaretti

[Hilary]

Gibbaeum nebrownii,

One more stamp issued by South Africa in 1988 depicting a succulent plant.

I found some information about it on the list of  endangered plants of South Africa
http://redlist.sanbi.org/species.php?species=114-18

Lithops are not mentioned much in TMG but there always seems to be a reference to succulents.
Today I am pointing you to read
FROM ONE GARDEN TO ANOTHER by Yannick Jakober in
 THE MEDITERRANENAN GARDEN number 20, April 2000
 where there is a very fleeting reference to succulents

[Hilary]

Pomaderris kumeraho, Golden Tainui

A stamp from New Zealand issued  Christmas 1981

Interesting information can be read here
http://www.terrain.net.nz/friends-of-te-henui-group/trees-native-botanical-names-m-to-q/gumdiggers-soap.html

Unfortunately this plant is mentioned neither in THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN nor this Forum but since I am going through my few flowery New Zealand stamps I am posting it anyway

[Hilary]

Dodonidia helmsii, Forest Ringlet

A stamp issued by New Zealand in 1991

This butterfly is endemic to New Zealand, read all about it here

http://nzbutterfly.info/resident/forest-ringlet/

Although this butterfly is not mentioned specifically in THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN butterflies, in general, are mentioned many times as being visitors to gardens.
Today I recommend THE FACEBOOK ROOF GARDEN by Kirsten Honeyman in TMG, number 85 July 2016

For photographs of this article see
http://www.mediterraneangardensociety.org/85-facebook.html

[Hilary]

New Zealand, Timber Industry

A stamp issued by New Zealand between 1960-63

In my ignorance I didn't know that there was a timber industry in New Zealand
You can find all you want to know about New Zealand forests here
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/growing-and-producing/forestry/

I was undecided which article in THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN to recommend and as non are actually about the timber industry in New Zealand, I decided on.
TMG number 41, July 2005
TIMBER IN THE GARDEN by Chevrel Traher
And
TMG number 49, July 2007
REPLACING TREES AFTER A FOREST FIRE by Peter Eaton

[Hilary]

Eranthis hyemalis, Winter Aconite

This stamp, issued by the USA postal service, USPS, in1996 in a series named GARDEN FLOWERS, depicts the Winter Aconite
I am afraid I don't have a photo of this flower.

Aconites are mentioned once in THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN,
 number 78, OCTOBER 2014
THAT GARDENING OBSESSION by Freda Cox

[Hilary]

Stapelia sp.
A stamp issued by IFNI in 1954

I have a couple of photos of this plant which once graced our balcony. The first photo, which must have been taken before 1995, was when the Stapelia grew very happily in a pot.
The second photo, 1997, the plant growing in the built in trough on the balcony of our current home, still looking quite happy. Unfortunately this plant and its offspring all died, they probably got too much water.

I found the following information stored on my computer
Stapelia variegata [ Star flower ]
Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers   Page 476
Clump - forming, branching, perennial succulent, with four - angled, indented stems. Flowers, variable in colour and blotched yellow, purple - or red - brown,
Appear in summer - autumn.
Height to 10 cms.
Spread indefinite
Minimum 11 C
Prefers partial shade.
Prefers well drained soil.
I got my first cutting from a friend who had a huge one on her back terrace.

Looking through the excellent  index of THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN on the website I came across Stapelia, great just what I need.
In TMG issue number 17, Summer 1999 Irene Shepard writes in her article,
 A PLANT COLLECTOR, about John Lavranos and his plant collecting adventures.