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Flowers in bloom
A hair trigger is disturbed, releasing a door latch that swings open to capture some unsuspecting prey, which will soon be devoured. Sound like something from the latest horror movie? In fact, it describes feeding time for the flat-leaved bladderwort (Utricularia intermedia)—a carnivorous plant that grows in slow-running streams and shallow ponds across Canada.
The bladderwort, together with the little larkspur (Delphinium bicolor) and the marsh skullcap (Scutellaria galericulata), are featured on the latest set of stamps in the ongoing series, Flowers. Marsh skullcaps usually grow in pairs and the little larkspur’s flowers can be poisonous if eaten in large quantities. The set, which was issued on December 19, 2006, includes U.S. rate (93¢), international rate ($1.55) and domestic oversized rate ($1.10) stamps.
A domestic rate Flowers stamp, featuring the striking spotted coralroot (Corallorhiza maculata), was issued on November 16, 2006. Instead of a price, this non-denominated definitive features a new icon, the letter “P” within a maple leaf, indicating that the stamp is valid for indefinite use within Canada. |
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