Scott No: 3478-81
Serial number: 2006-5
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: March 12, 2006
Denomination: 320 fen
Designer: Zeng Xiaolian
Size of stamps: 30*50 mm
Perforation: 12*12.5
Sheet composition: 16
Printing process: Offset
Printing House: Liaoning Province Shenyang Postage Stamp Printing Works

This stamp set was issued on March 12, 2006. It consists of four stamps with a total face value of 4.00 yuan, designed by Zeng Xiaolian, with Shi Yuan serving as the responsible editor, and printed by Shenyang Post and Telecommunications Printing Factory in Liaoning Province using offset printing.

Relict plants, often called living fossils, are ancient species that have survived geological changes. They are precious and rare, holding significant scientific and conservation value. This stamp set features four rare and protected relict plant species native to China, showcasing their unique forms and promoting awareness of the importance of protecting rare plants and preserving the ecological environment.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Metasequoia (Dawn Redwood)

A tall and elegant tree with graceful foliage, the metasequoia was once thought to be extinct but was rediscovered in China. It is a world-famous living fossil.

Cathaya (Silver Fir)

With silvery-white stomatal bands on its leaves that shimmer in the light, this tree is a rare gymnosperm endemic to China, often referred to as the "giant panda of the plant kingdom."

Dove Tree (Davidia involucrata)

When in bloom, its white bracts resemble doves perched on the branches, earning it the name "dove tree." With its unique and elegant flowers, it is a rare ornamental species endemic to China.

Ginkgo (Maidenhair Tree)

With its distinctive fan-shaped leaves, the ginkgo is one of the oldest relict plants and is widely known as a living fossil. It is also a popular ornamental tree in gardens and parks.

Artistic and Design Features

The four stamps share a uniform vertical format, with realistic illustrations that accurately depict the leaves, flowers, and fruits of these plants. The colors are fresh and natural, and the offset printing provides soft and lifelike details. The clean and elegant design fully presents the ancient and natural beauty of these rare plants.

This stamp set is a special issue on the theme of rare plants, suitable for thematic collections on natural ecology and rare species.