Scott No: 2330-38
Serial number: T162
Values in set: 8
Denomination: 445 fen
Date of issue: June 25, 1991
Designer: Zeng Xiaolian
Size of stamps:
40*30 mm for Values 1, 2, 3, 4
30*40 mm for Values 5, 6, 7, 8
Size of S/S stamp: 80*40mm
Size of S/S: 135*90mm
Perforation: 12
Sheet composition: 50 (10*5)
Printing process: offset
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

The special stamp set Rhododendrons, catalog number T162, was issued on June 25, 1991. It consists of eight stamps and one souvenir sheet, produced using offset printing. Stamps 1–4 measure 40×30 mm, and stamps 5–8 measure 30×40 mm, with a perforation gauge of 12 degrees. Each sheet contains 50 stamps. The stamps were designed by Zeng Xiaolian and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works.

Thematic Focus of the Set

Rhododendrons have long been praised as the "Western Beauty among Flowers," and China is the world's distribution center for rhododendrons. This stamp set selects eight rare and precious rhododendron varieties from China, along with the Yellow Cup Rhododendron on the souvenir sheet, showcasing the colorful natural appearance of rhododendrons, popularizing botanical knowledge, highlighting China's rich wild flower resources, and raising public awareness of the need to protect rare alpine plants.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Rhododendron delavayi

The flowers are deep red and vibrant, with large flower clusters resembling the red tassels on a horse's head. It mostly grows in the high mountain areas of the southwest and is a highly representative rhododendron variety of the southwestern region.

Rhododendron molle

The flowers are bright golden yellow. Also known as "sheep azalea," it is highly ornamental. The plant is toxic and can be used to make pesticides and anesthetic materials. It is a traditional medicinal and ornamental flower in China.

Rhododendron simsii

This is the most familiar rhododendron variety to the public. Its flowers are fiery red, blooming in masses in the mountains and fields. It is highly adaptable and widely distributed, and is also a classic garden ornamental shrub.

Rhododendron bureavii

An alpine rhododendron endemic to China. The underside of the leaves has brownish hairs, and the flowers are white with a slight pale pink. It mostly grows in high-altitude cool mountain forests.

Rhododendron complexum

The petal base is pale pink, with red spots inside the petals. The flower buds and leaves have sticky glandular hairs. It grows in the Hengduan Mountains and is a rare high-altitude rhododendron.

Rhododendron fortunei

The flower clusters are large, and the flowers are elegantly pale pinkish-white, blooming like spreading clouds. It is mostly distributed in the high mountains of central and eastern China and is a well-known ornamental rhododendron.

Rhododendron protistum var. giganteum

The "giant" among rhododendrons, it is a tall tree-type rhododendron and the largest rhododendron species in the world. It is only distributed in limited areas of Yunnan and is extremely rare.

Rhododendron rex

A rare rhododendron endemic to China. The flowers are large and densely packed, with a pale purple-red color. It grows in high-altitude forest areas of the southwest, and its wild population is scarce.

Yellow Cup Rhododendron (Souvenir Sheet)

The main image of the souvenir sheet is the Yellow Cup Rhododendron. The flowers are a warm pale yellow, and the cup-shaped corolla is fresh and elegant. The border features a background of alpine clouds and mist, enhancing the artistic conception of a highland sea of flowers.

Artistic and Design Features

The set uses the traditional Chinese painting composition of a folded branch, with gongbi (meticulous brushwork) and rich colors as the foundation, while incorporating Western painting techniques of light and shadow. The outlines of flowers and leaves are clear, with a strong three-dimensional effect. Each rhododendron has a distinct color, realistically and delicately rendered. Latin scientific names are noted on the stamps, combining artistry with scientific accuracy. The entire set has an elegant and natural style and is beautifully printed. It was awarded the National Best Stamp of 1991.