A postage stamp on the Nature Protection Series “Koshin–so” (Pinguicula Ramosa) :

Issued by Japan

Issued on Jun 8, 1978

Issued for : As the 19^th issue of the Nature Conservation Series, a postage stamp depicting Koshin-so (pinguicula ramoas Miyoshi) was issued. Koshin-so is peculiar to Japan and was discovered in Mt. Koshin, Tochigi Pref., in 1890 by Dr. Manabu Miyoshi. The Koshin-so Growing Place in Mt. Koshin was designated as special natural monument in 1952.

Design : Koshin–so (pinguicula ramosa Miyoshi)

Designer : Mr. Hitoshi Otsuka

Colour : Multicolour

Type : Stamp, Postal Used

Denomination : 50 Yen

Printing Process : Photogravure & Engraved

About : 

• In the Nature Conservation Series of postage stamps, a 50-yen stamp showing “Koshinso“, a rare species of plant, has been issued on June 8.
• Koshinso (pinguicula ramosa Miyoshi) is a perennial plant belonging to Lentibulari-aceae (dicotyledon). The species peculiar to Japan is distributed in the extremely limited area – on alpine walls near Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture.
• The leaves, oblong in shape, are about one centimeter long and have short glandular hairs on their surface; the hairs secrete mucus to catch small insects and digest them.
• A 3-8 centimeter long stalk grows between two leaves in June or July, and a light purple flower like a violet blooms at its top.
• The species was discovered in Mt. Koshin in Ashio Town, Kamitsuga County, Tochigi Prefecture, in August, 1890 by Dr. Manabu Miyoshi; hence the name of the plant. The area in the mountain where the plant grows was designated as a Natural Monument on March 3, 1921 by the Government. It was designated a Special Natural Monument on March 19, 1952 in order to protect it from being ruined.

Related posts:

“Koma-Kusa” : Japan Nature Conservation Series XX 25th National Athletic Meeting of Japan “Sakura-so” : Japan Nature Conservation Series XVIII Japan on SICOT Japan National Land Afforestation Campaign 1983 Japan National Land Afforestation Campaign 1984