2022 Mountain Flora (booklet) Forever Postage Stamp 100 pcs

About the stamp designs:  Stamps picture four different mountain flowers:  a purple pasqueflower, orange-red wood lily, bright yellow alpine buttercup, and dark pink Woods’ rose.  The images were taken from hand-drawn illustrations which were then edited digitally.  The results were block print-style designs.  Original artwork by Lili Arnold.First Day City:  There was no First Day of Issue Ceremony, but the First Day of Issue cancellations were from Alpine, Wyoming, a town with plenty of mountain habitat nearby that are home to a number of different wildflowers.

History the stamp represents:  Wildflowers are some of the most special plants out there.  You don’t find them just anywhere, but when you do they always put on a stunning show.  Mountain wildflowers are even more exceptional.  In 2022, the United States Postal Service issued four Forever stamps picturing different species.  These included the pasqueflower, wood lily, alpine buttercup, and Woods’ rose.

Plants that grow in alpine (high mountain) conditions have adapted to the harsh climate there.  This includes smaller size, slower growth, flexible stems, and more.  Some species take 10 years or more to reach maturity and flower.  That’s a long time for a flower to be able to produce seeds and reproduce.  For this reason, and became unknowing hikers often pick or trample them, many species of alpine wildflower are threatened or endangered today.

When on a hike in the mountains, spotting a flower is always exciting.  It might be tempting to pick that flower, but it’s better to leave it and snap a photo instead.  You never know how long it took for that flower to grow.  Disturbing it could have detrimental effects to not only that species, but the surrounding alpine habitat as well.  “Leave no trace,” is the mantra of seasoned hikers, and that philosophy will allow us to enjoy mountain wildflowers for generations to come.