Wild Orchids

The USPS issued the stamp to showcase the beauty and diversity of different species of wild orchids.

Photographer Jim Fowler captured the design, featuring the three birds orchid, showing one blossom, a species that grows wild in the United States.

Coral Gables, Florida, where the headquarters of the American Orchid Society is located, hosted the First Day of Issue Ceremony.

The Wild Orchids set includes 10 stamps picturing photographs by Jim Fowler of nine different orchids (one species shown twice) native to the United States. Species include the three birds (pictured twice), California lady’s slipper, crested coralroot, showy lady’s slipper, marsh lady’s tresses, eastern prairie fringed, greater purple fringed, grass pink, and yellow cowhorn orchids. These are all beautiful wildflowers that most people don’t get the opportunity to see. They’re all hard to find today.

Of all the North American flower species, some of the most stunning and mysterious are the orchids. One example is Triphora trianthophoros, commonly known as the three birds orchid or nodding pogonia. It’s known as one of the most striking of the genus Triphora, with small dark green to purple leaves and beautiful multicolored flowers. The two 2020 US stamps picturing this orchid feature white flowers with bright purple accents.