List of flora on stamps of Australia facts for kids

Australia is a huge country with many unique and beautiful plants, known as its flora. These amazing plants have been featured on many Australian stamps over the years. Stamps are like tiny pieces of art that tell stories about a country's history, culture, and nature. By putting plants on stamps, Australia celebrates its incredible natural beauty and shares it with the world.

Why Plants Appear on Stamps

Stamps are more than just a way to send letters. They are also like mini-posters that show off what's special about a country. For Australia, its plants are a big part of its identity. Many Australian plants are found nowhere else on Earth! Putting them on stamps helps people learn about these unique species and appreciate the country's natural heritage. It's a way to celebrate Australia's amazing biodiversity.

Iconic Australian Flowers

Australia is famous for its bright and unusual flowers. Many of these have been chosen to appear on stamps because of their beauty and importance.

The Golden Wattle

The Golden Wattle is Australia's national flower. It's a beautiful plant with fluffy, golden-yellow flowers. It has appeared on stamps several times, including in 1959, 1979, and 1990. Other types of wattle, like the Acacia baileyana (1978) and Acacia melanoxylon (1996), have also been featured.

The Waratah

The Waratah is another stunning flower, known for its large, bright red blooms. It's the state emblem of New South Wales. This eye-catching flower has been on stamps in 1959, 1968, and 2006.

Kangaroo Paw

The Kangaroo Paw is a truly unique flower from Western Australia. Its fuzzy, paw-shaped flowers come in many colours, including red and green. It appeared on stamps in 1962, 1968, and 2006. There's even a special type called Anigozanthos 'Bush Tango' that was on a stamp in 2003.

Sturt's Desert Pea

The Sturt's Desert Pea is an incredible red flower with a black centre. It grows in the dry parts of Australia and is the floral emblem of South Australia. You can find it on stamps from 1968, 1971, and 2005.

Amazing Australian Trees and Shrubs

Beyond flowers, many important trees and shrubs from Australia's landscapes have also graced stamps.

Eucalyptus Trees

Eucalyptus trees, also known as gum trees, are a huge part of the Australian landscape. There are hundreds of different kinds! Many eucalyptus species have been featured on stamps, showing their diverse shapes and flowers. Some examples include:

• Eucalyptus camaldulensis (1974)
• Eucalyptus globulus (1968, 1982)
• Eucalyptus ficifolia (1982)
• Eucalyptus regnans (1996), one of the tallest trees in the world!

Banksias

Banksia plants are famous for their unique, cone-shaped flower heads. They are a favourite food source for many Australian animals. Stamps have shown different banksias, such as Banksia serrata (1960, 1986) and Banksia integrifolia (2000).

The Wollemi Pine

The Wollemi Pine is a very special tree. It was thought to be extinct, only known from fossils, until it was discovered alive in 1994! This "living fossil" appeared on a stamp in 2005, highlighting its incredible story.

Other Fascinating Plants on Stamps

Australia's plant life is incredibly varied, and stamps have captured many other interesting species.

Orchids

Australia has many beautiful and delicate Orchids. Some, like Dendrobium phalaenopsis (1968, 1998) and Dendrobium nindii (1986, 2003), have been featured, showing their intricate shapes and colours.

Fungi

Even some types of fungi have made it onto Australian stamps! Fungi are not plants, but they are a vital part of Australia's ecosystems. Examples include Armillaria luteobubalina (1981) and Coprinus comatus (1981).

Water Plants

Beautiful water plants like the Lotus (2002) and Nymphaea immutabilis (2002) show the diversity of aquatic flora.

List of Australian Flora on Stamps

Here is a list of some of the Australian plants and fungi that have been featured on postage stamps, along with the years they appeared:

• Acacia baileyana – 1978
• Acacia coriacea – 2002
• Acacia dealbata (?) – 1982
• Acacia melanoxylon – 1996
• Acacia pycnantha – 1959, 1979, 1990
• Acmena smithii – 2002
• Actinodium cunninghamii – 2005
• Actinotus helianthi – 1959
• Adansonia gregorii – 2005
• Anigozanthos 'Bush Tango' – 2003
• Anigozanthos manglesii – 1962, 1968, 2006
• Armillaria luteobubalina fungus – 1981
• Banksia integrifolia – 2000
• Banksia prionotes (?) – 1996
• Banksia serrata – 1960, 1986
• Barringtonia calyptrata – 2001
• Blandfordia grandiflora – 1960, 1967
• Blandfordia punicea – 2007
• Brachychiton acerifolius – 1978
• Callistemon glaucus – 2000
• Callistemon teretifolius – 1975
• Caleana major – 1986
• Caltha introloba – 1986
• Calytrix carinata – 2002
• Celmisia asteliifolia – 1986
• Cochlospermum gillivraei – 2001
• Coprinus comatus fungus – 1981
• Correa reflexa – 1986, 1999
• Cortinarius austrovenetus fungus – 1981
• Cortinarius cinnabarinus fungus – 1981
• Dendrobium nindii – 1986, 2003
• Dendrobium phalaenopsis – 1968, 1998
• Dicksonia antarctica – 1996
• Dillenia alata – 1986
• Diuris magnifica – 2006
• Elythranthera emarginata – 1986
• Epacris impressa – 1968
• Eucalyptus caesia – 1982
• Eucalyptus calophylla 'Rosea' – 1982
• Eucalyptus camaldulensis – 1974
• Eucalyptus diversicolor – 2005
• Eucalyptus ficifolia – 1982
• Eucalyptus forrestiana – 1982
• Eucalyptus globulus – 1968, 1982
• Eucalyptus grossa – 2005
• Eucalyptus pauciflora – 2005
• Euschemon rafflesia – 1983
• Eucalyptus papuana – 1978, 1993, 2002
• Eucalyptus regnans – 1996
• Eucalyptus sp. – 1985
• Ficus macrophylla – 2005
• Gossypium sturtianum – 1971, 1978, 2007
• Grevillea juncifolia – 2002
• Grevillea mucronulata – 2007
• Grevillea 'Superb' – 2003
• Hakea laurina – 2006
• Hardenbergia violacea – 2000
• Helichrysum thomsonii – 1975
• Helipterum albicans – 1986
• Hibbertia scandens – 1999
• Hibiscus meraukensis – 1986
• Ipomoea pes-caprae ssp. brasiliensis – 1999
• Leucochrysum albicans – 1986
• Microseros lanceolata – 2002
• Nelumbo nucifera – 2002
• Nymphaea immutabilis – 2002
• Phalaenopsis rosenstromii – 1998
• Phebalium whitei – 2007
• Swainsona formosa – 1968, 1971, 2005
• Santalum acuminatum – 2002
• Telopea speciosissima – 1959, 1968, 2006
• Thelymitra variegata – 1986
• Thysanothus tuberosus – 2005
• Wahlenbergia gloriosa – 1986
• Wahlenbergia stricta – 1999
• Wollemia nobilis – 2005
• Xanthorrhoea australis – 1978

See also

• List of people on stamps of Australia
• List of butterflies on stamps of Australia