Taiwan Year of the Tiger FDCs

Taiwan FDCs
Name: Year of the Tiger
Date of Issue: 01 December 2009

To welcome the year of the tiger, Chunghwa Post issues a set of two New Year’s Greeting Postage Stamps (Issue of 2009) and a miniature sheet. Employing ink wash techniques from Chinese painting, the stamps portray the composed and awe-inspiring air of a tiger. The miniature sheet features a stately tiger on an open scroll.

Denominations:
NT$3.50 Stamp:
An image of a tiger gazing ahead, which symbolizes farsightedness, optimism, enterprise and luck.

NT$13.00 Stamp:
A portrait of a tiger leisurely lying on the ground, which suggests talent, ambition, and new sources of revenue.

NT$12.00 Miniature Sheet:
The sheet features a stately tiger on an open scroll, suggesting “good fortune is at hand” (the Chinese character for tiger sounds close to the character for good fortune). The design of the marginal inscription blends Chinese calligraphy, auspicious cloud patterns and colorful flowers to create a festive atmosphere.

Taiwan Ferns FDCs

Taiwan FDCs
Name: Ferns
Date of Issue: 26 November 2009
Number: Sp. 536

Taiwan has among the highest density of ferns in the world and has been touted as the Kingdom of Ferns. To introduce the beauty of ferns, Chunghwa Post is issuing a set of four stamps and a souvenir sheet featuring Asplenium nidus, Cyathea spinulosa, Cyathea lepifera, and Cibotium taiwanense.

Denominations:
NT$5.00: Asplenium nidus (臺灣巢蕨)
Commonly known as the bird's-nest fern in English, its long slender fronds are layered and form a nest-like clump at its short fat rhizome. It is a large epiphytic fern and can usually be found growing on tree trunks. It is a common ornamental garden plant.

NT$9.00: Cyathea spinulosa (臺灣桫欏)
The plant is commonly known as the Taiwan tree fern in English. Its trunk is about five meters high, and its fronds are oval-shaped. New green fronds are upright and radiate from the crown, while the old fronds bend downward to form a leave skirt. This shade tolerant tree is common in mid- and low-elevation regions of the island.

NT$12.00: Cyathea lepifera (筆筒樹)
This fern is known as the common tree fern in English. It usually produces a single straight trunk up to a height of eight meters. Its fronds are large and form a clump at the crown. When an old frond falls, it will leave an obvious mark on the trunk where it once attached. It is a representative tree species in the subtropical areas of Taiwan.

NT$25.00: Cibotium taiwanense (臺灣金狗毛蕨)
This fern’s short, thick rhizome is densely covered with golden hairs and bears a crown of fronds. The base of its pinna is asymmetrical, and there are two to three pinnules less on the side closer to the ground. This terrestrial plant can only be found in Taiwan.

This set of stamps is printed in intaglio in combination with offset, and the effect is simply exquisite.

Taiwan Greetings FDCs

Taiwan FDCs
Name: Personal Greeting Stamps - Happy Times
Date of Issue: 12 November 2009
Number: Def. 131

To provide more design options, Chunghwa Post is issuing “Happy Times,” a new set of ten personal greeting stamps. All ten stamps have denominations of NT$3.50 and NT$5.00, distinguished by different background colors. Customers now have a chance to create a brand new set of personal greeting stamps using their prettiest or most memorable photos. The designs of the stamps follow:

1. Pearl (cherished love): Precious pearls are often used to express a love that is cherished above all. Giving pearls is a display of how much one values the recipient.

2. Present (surprise): Presents wrapped with a ribbon that is tied in a bow suggest that they are full of surprises and bring joy.

3. Bouquet (love): Beautiful flowers are the ideal choice for expressing affection to family members, as well as romantic love and friendship.

4. Candy (sweetness): A lollipop and some candies wrapped in colorful cellophane paper make one feel sweet, thus adding to the joy of happy times.

5. Balloon (joy): During celebrations and other happy occasions, colorful balloons floating in the air impart a joyous atmosphere.

6. Champagne (celebration): During romantic moments or celebrations, the clinking flutes that are filled with champagne can help to mark the occasion, freezing a beautiful moment in time.

7. Heart (warmth): Hearts represent mutual support and caring between family members, friends and lovers. This stamp features a big heart made of many smaller hearts to convey the warmest side of anyone’s heart.

8. Cake (bliss): A cake decorated with chocolate and a strawberry offers a taste of happiness and sweetness. It’s a desert that can’t be passed up during happy times.

9. Sparkler (celebration): By lighting up sparklers or setting off fireworks in the night sky, the flickering light brings the festivities to a high point.

10. Clover (luck): It is said that four-leaf clovers bring good luck, but their rarity makes them especially precious. Let flying four-leave clovers on stamps spread good luck and best wishes.

Comment: This is the first time my daughter's photos appear on the real posted FDC. Thanks to my Taiwanese friend.

Taiwan Flower ATM FDC

Taiwan ATM FDC
Name: Flower of Tung Oil Tree (Continued)
Date of Issue: 14 October 2009

Vernicia fordii (Tung Tree; syn. Aleurites fordii Hemsl.) is a species of Vernicia in the spurge family, native to southern China, Burma, and northern Vietnam. Other vernacular names include Tung Oil Tree, Tung-oil Tree, Tungoil Tree, China Wood-Oil Tree, Kalo Nut Tree, 油桐 (lit. oil tung) being the formal name in Chinese.

It is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree growing to 20 m tall, with a spreading crown. The bark is smooth and thin, and bleeds latex if cut. The leaves are alternate, simple, 4.5–25 cm long and 3.5–22 cm broad, heart-shaped or with three shallow, maple-like lobes, green above and below, red conspicuous glands at the base of the leaf, and with a 5.5–26 cm long petiole. The flowers are 2.5–3.5 cm diameter, with five pale pink to purple petals with streaks of darker red or purple in the throat; it is monoecious with individual flowers either male or female, but produced together in the inflorescences. The flowers appear before or with the leaves in loose, terminal clusters. The fruit is a hard, woody pear-shaped drupe 4–6 cm long and 3–5 cm diameter, containing four or five large, oily seeds; it is green initially, becoming dull brown when ripe in autumn. More...

Taiwan Flowers FDC (II)

Taiwan FDC
Name: Flowers (2nd Series)
Date of Issue: 14 October 2009
Number: Def. 129(II)

Having issued the first set of definitive stamps on flowers on March 12, 2009, Chunghwa Post is going to follow up with a second set, featuring Calliandra emarginata, Bombax ceiba, Delonix regia, and Spathodea campanulata. This set of stamps was organized by Dr. Heng-piao Chin, the former director-general of the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, Council of Agriculture of the Executive Yuan, and Dr. Ting-Fang Hsieh, director of the Floriculture Research Center, Agricultural Research Institute, Council of Agriculture of the Executive Yuan. The stamps were painted by Mr. Hung-tu Ko, and printed by Central Engraving and Printing Plant in color deep-etch offset.

Denominations:
NT$1.00: Calliandra emarginata (紅粉撲花)
Calliandra emarginata, or powder puff, is a semi-deciduous shrub of the Fabaceae family. Leaves are bipinnately compound, with oval lanceolate leaflets. The leaflets fold together at night and unfold during the day. The inflorescence is axillary and capitulum. The corolla is semicircular, with dense long filaments, resembling a powder puff. It is a very good ornamental specimen.

NT$2.50: Bombax ceiba (木棉花)
Bombax ceiba, commonly known as cotton tree, is a deciduous tree of the Bombacaceae family. Leaves are palmately compound. Flowers are orange or red, with five petals. The calyx is cup-shaped. It produces a capsule which, when ripe, will burst open and disperse seeds that are covered thickly with cotton-like fibers. The tree has a masculine shape and looks different in all four seasons. One of its salient features is that it blooms before it leafs out.

NT$10.00: Delonix regia (鳳凰木)
Delonix regia—which is commonly known as royal poinciana, flamboyant, or flame of the forest—is a deciduous tree of the Leguminosae family. Most of them have buttress roots. The tree has an umbrella-shaped crown. Leaves are opposite and bipinnately compound. Each of its flowers, which are arranged in terminal racemes, has five petals, which are bright red with a touch of yellow, and its filaments are slender and red. Because the tree blooms in June, it is often used to symbolize graduation. The royal poinciana is a large tree and mainly used for firewood, or as an ornamental or street tree.

NT$32.00: Spathodea campanulata (火焰木)
Spathodea campanulata, or fountain tree, is a deciduous tree of the Bignoniaceae family. Leaves are opposite and pinnately compound, with oval leaflets. The inflorescence is in the form of a terminal panicle, with the outer buds blooming first. The flowers are orange scarlet, resembling flames on the crown of the tree. The fountain tree loves heat and sun light. It is commonly grown as a street tree and garden specimen.

Taiwan Typhoon FDC

Taiwan FDC
Name: Typhoon Morakot - Relief Surtax Stamps
Date of Issue: 09 October 2009

On August 7, 2009, typhoon Morakot slammed into Taiwan. The torrential rains lasted for two days and nights, causing many casualties and serious damages in the hard-hit areas of southern and eastern Taiwan. Wishing to make a contribution to the enormous funds needed by the government for disaster relief and reconstruction, and to make a call to the public to put compassion into action, Chunghwa Post is issuing a Typhoon Morakot Relief Surtax Stamps Souvenir Sheet to raise funds for relief efforts, as it did after the 921 Earthquake in 1999 by issuing the 921 Earthquake Relief Surtax Stamps Souvenir Sheet.

This souvenir sheet contains two stamps, focusing respectively on the themes of "We are all in the same boat." and "Let’s conserve the land and rebuild our homes." The borders of the stamps have printed imitation perforation. Both of the stamps have denominations of NT$25, and each bears an additional surtax of NT$25, which will be contributed to typhoon Morakot relief. This brings the total value of the souvenir sheet to NT$100.

A total of 600,000 sheets will be issued and sold from October 9, 2009 to April 8, 2010. After the sale, the money raised via the surtax will be calculated and turned over to a special fund for disaster relief set up by the Ministry of Interior.

Taiwan Deaflympics FDC

Taiwan FDC
Name: 21st Summer Deaflympics Taipei 2009
Date of Issue: 05 September 2009
Number: Com.315

The forerunner of the Deaflympics was the Deaf World Games, which were the first international games for athletes with a disability. In light of the Deaf World Games' scale and the special characteristics of deaf people's culture, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved the name change in May 2001. The ROC won the bid to host the 21st Summer Deaflympics Taipei 2009 from September 5 to 15, 2009. Athletes from some 80 nations will participate. To mark these games, Chunghwa Post is issuing a set of two commemorative stamps.

On the upper right corner of both stamps is the logo of the 21st Summer Deaflympics Taipei 2009. The design of the logo integrates the three major elements of the games: the Chinese character pei (which is part of the compound for Taipei), an ear (symbolizing the hearing impaired) and a person (symbolizing an athlete). The vignette of the NT$5.00-denominated stamp shows a badminton player and a runner set against a map of Taiwan and a pattern of dark and light rings suggesting sound waves. The composition conveys the idea that the 2009 Deaflympics are being held in Taipei. The NT$25.00-denominated stamp shows figures engaged in taekwondo and tennis set against a background of a stylized ear. Drawn in simple and soft lines, the stamp symbolizes the idea of "Taiwan walking out, and the world coming in." It conveys the inexhaustible vitality of Taiwan and the courage with which hearing-impaired athletes face challenges.

Taiwan Folk Rhymes FDC

Taiwan FDC
Name: Children's Folk Rhymes (Continued)
Date of Issue: 26 August 2009
Number: Sp.535

Chunghwa Post previously issued three sets of stamps on children's folk rhymes on April 4,1998, April 2, 1999, and April 4, 2001; now it is following up with another set of four stamps on the subject.

Denominations:
NT$5.00: "Little Girl and Her Doll" (妹妹背著洋娃娃)
Originally named "Doll in the Garden," the stamp features a little girl carrying a doll on her back, with the background features the garden described in the song. The little birdie in the upper right corner is a fun nod to the last line of the song and is sure to bring a smile to everyone's face.

NT$5.00: "Train" (火車快飛)
In reflection of the song's theme, the stamp features a child happily riding a train. The red color is lively and fun and creates a joyous atmosphere, conveying the kid's excitement as he gets closer to home.

NT$5.00: "Thunder Shower" (西北雨)The big raindrops of the thundershower echo the name of the song. The pink lotus blossoms in the pond and the fireflies and anthropomorphic fish in the rain add layers of interest to the turquoise water.

NT$5.00: "Kingdom of Dolls" (娃娃國)
The stamp features the king and his soldier leaving their palace on horseback. The distant castle is in reference to the name of the song. The king and the soldier, on the one hand, and the castle, on the other—one in the front and one in the back, one large and one small—create a sense of rhythm for the entire composition.

Comment: Chunghwa Post issued a new pre-stamped envelope on same day, so my friend made a double-first day cover for me.

Taiwan Paintings FDC

Taiwan FDC
Name: Modern Taiwanese Paintings (Issue of 2009)
Date of Issue: 07 August 2009
Number: Sp.534

To introduce the achievements of Taiwanese painters to the general public, Chunghwa Post has issued a series of stamps featuring modern Taiwanese paintings. Earlier sets were released on December 6, 2002, November 20, 2003, and March 25, 2004. Following these sets, Chunghwa Post will release another two stamps from the collection of the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, featuring Taiwanese painter Lin Yu-shan's On the Way Home and Two Heads of Cattle.

Lin Yu-shan (林玉山) (1907-2004), who was originally named Lin Ying-kuei. In 1927, Lin became famous overnight when his work Water Buffalo was selected for the first Taiten (Taiwan Art Exhibition). Apart from his depictions of animals such as birds, tigers and cattle, Lin was best known for his landscapes, which he created with a supple use of brushstrokes. On the Way Home and Two Heads of Cattle are two of his most important works.

Denominations:
NT$5.00: On the Way Home (歸途)
A peasant woman walks slowly home with a water buffalo that is carrying a bundle of sugar cane on its back in twilight time. The natural and vivid composition is earnest and moving.

NT$25.00: Two Heads of Cattle (雙牛圖)
The painting portrays two vigorous oxen beside some cactus plants. The composition is bold, simple and powerful.

In celebration of the Philately Day on August 9 and to add interest in philately, the stamps will be printed as a gutter pair. The gutter will bear the Chinese characters for “2009 Philately Day” and a design of a collector pouring over stamps with a magnifier.

Comment: The original issue date of this set is 7th August, because of the Typhoon Morakot was closing in on Taiwan. All government offices and schools as well as the financial market in Taiwan (except Kinmen County) were closed on 7th August. In this case, Chunghwa Post allowed to post this set on next working day (7th Aug. is Friday, 8th and 9th are rest day, so 10th Aug is next working day). That's why you can see an additional seal (颱風郵路阻斷次日處理) on this FDC.

Taiwan Kinmen FDC

Taiwan FDC
Name: Scenery Postage Stamps－Kinmen
Date of Issue: 29 July 2009
Number: Sp. 533

Kinmen has great potential for tourism due to its special geographic location and its abundant cultural assets, war relics, and military structures, as well as natural ecological resources such as protected bird species. To introduce the unique cultural assets and built environment of Kinmen.

Denominations:
NT$5.00: Guningtou (古寧頭):
Guningtou is located at the northwest corner of Kinmen and includes the villages of Beishan, Nanshan and Lincu. It became fortress of democracy and freedom after the Battle of Guningtou in 1949. The traditional buildings in Nanshan and Beishan villages were mostly constructed during the late Ming Dynasty. These buildings are famous cultural and historical sites and tourist attractions.

NT$9.00: Zhaishan Tunnel (翟山坑道):
Located in the southwest of Kinmen, the Tunnel is connecting to the Taiwan Strait. This underground Tunnel comprises two sections: a tunnel and a waterway. The tunnel part is about 100 meters long, 6 meters wide, and 3.5 meters high. The waterway section has a walkway with an attached dock for small boats to berth.

NT$10.00: Qingtian Hall (擎天廳)
Located halfway up Mt. Taiwu, Qingtian Hall is a man-made underground granite cave. It is 50 meters long, 18 meters wide and 11 meters high. The project was so difficult that the late president Chiang Kai-shek gave it the name Qingtian Hall ("hall that holds up the sky"), which he inscribed on a rock wall in the cave.

NT$10.00: Lake Taihu (太湖):
Being an island in the sea, fresh water is hard to come by in Kinmen. To meet household needs and support military readiness, the military has constructed many reservoirs of various sizes in Kinmen. Lake Taihu is one of them. Dug in 1966, it is about 36 hectares in area, and has a capacity of 114 metric tons of water.

Taiwan Artifacts FDCs

Taiwan FDCs
Name: Ancient Chinese Art Treasures (Issue of 2009)
Date of Issue: 20 July 2009
Number: Sp. 532

To spread understanding about the beauty of ancient Chinese artifacts, Chunghwa Post is issuing a set of four stamps and a souvenir sheet on ancient articrafts from the National Palace Museum collection.

Denominations:
NT$5.00: A Pair of Gold Gourds, Qing Dynasty, 18th Century (清 十八世紀 子孫萬代金葫蘆一對)
The surface of these gold bottle gourds features a lacy design of intertwining flowers, leaves and tiny bottle gourds. There are three leaves sticking out from the stem of each gourd. These gourds have two detachable parts. The upper parts fit over lips at the tops of the lower sections. In Chinese, larger fruits produced by vines are called gua, whereas smaller fruits of vines are called die. Because the bottle gourd continually fruits and flowers, it is associated with the Chinese expression "mian mian gua die," which is used to describe a family with abundant descendants.

NT$5.00: Gold Bowl Used Personally by the Qianlong Emperor, Qing Dynasty (1736-1795) (清 乾隆御用金碗)
The interior of the bowl is smooth and unadorned, while the exterior is densely embellished with small millet-shaped beads set into a pattern of pomegranates, flowers, and leaves. The result is dazzling and exuberant. On the bottom, inside the ring foot, there are four traced-standard-script characters carved in intaglio: Qianlong Yuyong ("for the personal use of Emperor Qianlong").

NT$12.00: Mughal Empire Large Round Urn with Inlay Ca. 17th-18th Century (蒙兀兒帝國 十七至十八世紀 帶鑲嵌圓腹大罐)
The body of the urn is covered with hexagonal plates of bluish white jade. Metal wire inlay may have been present originally between the jade pieces although no trace remains. The jade pieces are inlaid with rubies, emeralds, topazes and brown gemstones set in gold wire.

NT$12.00: Gilt Ewer with Cloud and Dragon Decor, Qing Dynasty (清 鍍金雲龍紋萬壽無疆蒲蘆式壺)
This pot, in the shape of a bottle gourd, has a long spout and a long handle, to which the lid is chained. Four seal script characters—wan shou wu jiang ("may you live forever")—and dragons are carved in relief on the belly of the gourd. The Chinese words for bottle gourd (hulu) sound similar to the words for good fortune and prosperity (fu lu). Consequently, a gourd bearing the four characters described above conveys the idea of "good fortune, prosperity and longevity" ("fu lu shou"), three words that are commonly regarded as life's greatest blessings in Chinese culture. This was an imperial wine vessel used by Qing Dynasty emperors.

Comment: Because these articrafts are collected in National Palace Museum (故宮博物院), so this pair of FDCs were sent from the "Shihlin National Palace Museum Post Office (士林故宮郵局)".Comment: This pair of FDCs were sent from the Taipei Temporary Post Office (臺北臨時郵局) with beautiful special cancellation.

Taiwan World Games FDCs

Taiwan FDCs
Name: The World Games 2009 Kaohsiung
Date of Issue: 16 July 2009
Number: Com. 314

The first world games were held in Santa Clara, USA in 1981. The subsequent games were hosted by London, England; Karlsruhe, Germany; the Hague in the Netherlands; Lahti, Finland; Akita, Japan; and Duisburg, Germany. The eighth World Games was held in Kaohsiung from July 16 to 26, 2009.

Denominations:
NT$5.00: Kaohsiung Arena (高雄綜合體育館)
This modernistic gym is equipped with standard Olympic facilities, making it a great venue for basketball and volleyball games as well as 200-meter races in indoor track and field. On the lower right of the stamp are the mascots of the World Games 2009 Kaohsiung: Kao Mei and Syong Ge. Dressed in red and blue respectively, these "water spirit" babies have a water drop for a head. Their bodies will light up after absorbing solar energy with the little spheres on their heads. The design reflects a concern for international issues such as green energy and environmental protection.

NT$12.00: The Main Stadium for the World Games (世運主場館)
The Main Stadium was built to the standards of an IAAF (the International Association of Athletics Federations) Class I certified international sports stadium. The open-air design does away with the need for air conditioning. This avant-garde architecture will be the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the World Games 2009 Kaohsiung. On the lower right of the stamp is the games' logo — a stylized Chinese character Kao (as in Kaohsiung), "written" in a colorful and rhythmic flowing ribbon, resembling the beautiful shapes of athletes in competition. The design aims to convey the concepts of "harmony, friendship, rhythm, flight, progress and joy."

Taiwan Pagodas ATM FDC

Taiwan ATM FDC
Name: The World Games 2009 Kaohsiung ROCUPEX
Date of Issue: 16 July 2009

In coordination with the World Games 2009 Kaohsiung ROCUPEX, Chuanghwa Post issued a commemorative postage label featuring the Dragon and Tiger pagodas, which have long been a tourist spot in Taiwan.

The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas (龍虎塔) are pagodas located on Lotus Lake in Kaohsiung.

Comment: This is a very special one, the ATM stamps' denominations have 4 different colors, it's not easy to get all of them. Thanks to me friend.

Taiwan Butterflies FDC

Taiwan FDC
Name: Taiwan Butterflies (Issue of 2009)
Date of Issue: 25 June 2009

Denominations:
NT$5.00: The Asian Swallowtail (Papilio xuthus Linnaeus) (柑橘鳳蝶)
It has dark brown wings, although the coloration in females is somewhat lighter. There is a pale yellow crescent (lunule) behind the forewings and hindwings, and there are some light yellow markings near the base of the hindwings. The males and females are similar in appearance except for some obvious orange markings on either side of the bluish gray band on the underside of females' hindwings. In addition, there is a black spot on the front edge of males' hindwings, which is absent in females.

NT$5.00: The Golden Birdwing (Troides aeacus formosanus Rothschild) (黃裳鳳蝶)
The male has black wings, and the bright yellow markings on the upperside and underside of its hindwings are larger than those of the female. There is a row of black saw-tooth markings on the outer margin of its hindwings and some red markings on its thorax. Females are larger than males, with broader forewings and a complicated yellow and black pattern on their hindwings. This butterfly is an endemic subspecies to Taiwan. It is listed as a rare and valuable protected species.

NT$12.00: The Tailed Jay (Graphium agamemnon) (綠斑鳳蝶)
Females and males have identical wing patterns. The male has black wings with four vertical rows of yellowish green spots on each wing. There is a fuzzy gray brand in the fold at the inner edge of the hindwings. Females lack the brand and are larger than males.

NT$12.00: The Paris Peacock (Papilio paris nakaharai Shirôzu) (琉璃翠鳳蝶)
It has black wings. There is a broad, metallic greenish blue marking on its hindwings, which shimmers during flight. It is one of the most beautiful butterflies in Taiwan. There is a row of red crescents on the outer edge of the underside of its hindwings. Females and males are similar in appearance, except that in males the blue marking on the upperside of the hindwing extends narrowly below and above.

Taiwan Window Pattern FDC

Taiwan FDC
Name: 3rd Print of Dragons Circling Two Carps (Definitive Stamp)
Date of Issue: 20 May 2009
Number: Def.130

The design, based on the window patterns at a very significant historical site - the Longsan Temple(龍山寺) in Lugang(鹿港), is a Chinese octagonal window with dragons circling two carps in the center.

To distinguish it from its counterpart in the 2nd print released on July 1, 1999, the color of the stamp has been changed from emerald green to cobalt blue.

Comment: The 2nd FDC was sent from the Lugang Longsan(鹿港龍山) Post Office, the nearest post office from the Longsan Temple(龍山寺).

Taiwan Flower ATM FDCs

Taiwan ATM FDCs
Name: Flower of Tung Oil Tree (Red)
Date of Issue: 15 April 2008 (Black Ribbon), 18 April 2008 (Green Ribbon)

Vernicia fordii (Tung Tree; syn. Aleurites fordii Hemsl.) is a species of Vernicia in the spurge family, native to southern China, Burma, and northern Vietnam. Other vernacular names include Tung Oil Tree, Tung-oil Tree, Tungoil Tree, China Wood-Oil Tree, Kalo Nut Tree, 油桐 (lit. oil tung) being the formal name in Chinese.

It is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree growing to 20 m tall, with a spreading crown. The bark is smooth and thin, and bleeds latex if cut. The leaves are alternate, simple, 4.5–25 cm long and 3.5–22 cm broad, heart-shaped or with three shallow, maple-like lobes, green above and below, red conspicuous glands at the base of the leaf, and with a 5.5–26 cm long petiole. The flowers are 2.5–3.5 cm diameter, with five pale pink to purple petals with streaks of darker red or purple in the throat; it is monoecious with individual flowers either male or female, but produced together in the inflorescences. The flowers appear before or with the leaves in loose, terminal clusters. The fruit is a hard, woody pear-shaped drupe 4–6 cm long and 3–5 cm diameter, containing four or five large, oily seeds; it is green initially, becoming dull brown when ripe in autumn. More...

Comment: Do you know why do I post 2 FDCs in this article?

Taiwan Chiang Ching-kuo S/S FDCs

Taiwan Souvenir Sheet FDCs
Name: 100th Birthday of Late President Chiang Ching-kuo
Date of Issue: 13 April 2008
Number: Com. 313

Former ROC President Chiang Ching-kuo was born on the 18th day of the third lunar month in 1910 in Fenghua County of Chekiang Province, and he died on January 13, 1988. April 13, 2009 is his 100th birthday.

Chiang Ching-kuo served as chairman of the Vocational Assistance Commission for Retired Servicemen, minister of national defense, vice-premier, premier, and president of the ROC (for the sixth and seventh terms of that office). He launched the Ten Major Construction Projects and the Twelve New Development Projects, which promoted the nation's economic prosperity and created the world famous "Taiwan experience." He undertook political reforms, lifted martial law and bans on the creation of new newspapers and political parties, laying down a solid foundation for a democratic Taiwan. Under his leadership, people were allowed to visit their relatives in mainland China. That decision marked a new page in the history of relations between Taiwan and mainland China. The people of Taiwan revered and loved Chiang Ching-kuo because of his devotion to the nation.

Comment: Two Taiwanese friends sent 2 FDCs to me from different post office. The first one was sent from "大溪" Post Office, because Chiang Ching-kuo's mausoleum is located in Dasi Town, Taoyuan County. The second one was sent from "新竹經國路" Post Office, nothing special but the name of the post office, "經國" Ching-kuo.

Taiwan Chiang Ching-kuo FDCs

Taiwan FDCs
Name: 100th Birthday of Late President Chiang Ching-kuo
Date of Issue: 13 April 2008
Number: Com. 313

Former ROC President Chiang Ching-kuo was born on the 18th day of the third lunar month in 1910 in Fenghua County of Chekiang Province, and he died on January 13, 1988. April 13, 2009 is his 100th birthday.

Chiang Ching-kuo served as chairman of the Vocational Assistance Commission for Retired Servicemen, minister of national defense, vice-premier, premier, and president of the ROC (for the sixth and seventh terms of that office). He launched the Ten Major Construction Projects and the Twelve New Development Projects, which promoted the nation's economic prosperity and created the world famous "Taiwan experience." He undertook political reforms, lifted martial law and bans on the creation of new newspapers and political parties, laying down a solid foundation for a democratic Taiwan. Under his leadership, people were allowed to visit their relatives in mainland China. That decision marked a new page in the history of relations between Taiwan and mainland China. The people of Taiwan revered and loved Chiang Ching-kuo because of his devotion to the nation.

Comment: Two Taiwanese friends sent 2 FDCs to me from different post office. The first one was sent from "大溪" Post Office, because Chiang Ching-kuo's mausoleum is located in Dasi Town, Taoyuan County. The second one was sent from "新竹經國路" Post Office, nothing special but the name of the post office, "經國" Ching-kuo.

Taiwan Underground FDC

Taiwan FDC
Name: Kaohsiung MRT
Date of Issue: 07 April 2008
Number: Sp. 530

Denominations:
NT$5.00: Central Park Station (中央公園站)
This underground station comprises two levels, and the station's architecture blends into the landscape of adjacent Central Park. A gigantic canopy-like roof, which resembles a flying leaf, was constructed to cover the entrance. Conveying the design concept of "to soar," it demonstrates a robust and constant vitality.

NT$25.00: World Games Station (世運站)
Inspired by the special physical environment of Kaohsiung and meant to show the special characteristics of a harbor city, the central design concept of this elevated station focuses on sailing, and the station building resembles a ship, befitting a major center of international shipping.

Taiwan Flowers (I) FDC

Taiwan FDC
Name: Flowers (1st Series)
Date of Issue: 12 March 2008
Number: Def. 129(I)

The colors and shapes of Taiwan's flowering plants are varied. To introduce the beauty of Taiwan's flowers, Chunghwa Post is issuing a series of definitive stamps on flowers.

Denominations:
NT$3.50: Spanish Flag Lantana camara (馬纓丹)
Lantana camara is an evergreen shrub of the Verbenaceae family. Its leaves are opposite and ovate and both the leaves and stems have unpleasant acrid odors. The flowers are arranged in flat heads. The lantana is a popular ornamental plant because it flowers for a long and sustained period. Its fruit, leaves and stems are poisonous and therefore should not be eaten.

NT$5.00: Orange Jessamine Murraya paniculata (月橘)
Also known as orange jasmine or Chinese box, Murraya paniculata is an evergreen shrub of the Rutaceae family. Its small alternate leaves are ovate and glossy. White and campanulate, its corymbose flowers, each with five petals, are highly fragrant. Its wood is fine and hard and suitable for making seals. It is a widely planted ornamental.

NT$12.00: Flower of Yellow Ipê Tabebuia chrysantha (黃金風鈴木)
Also known as golden goddess, Tabebuia chrysantha is a deciduous tree of the Bignoniaceae family. Its small leaves are opposite and obovate. Funnel-shaped, its bright yellow corolla are grouped in panicles with wrinkly edges. Care should be taken to avoid touching its flowers or fruit since contact might cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction.

NT$25.00: Roselle Hibiscus sabdariffa (洛神葵)
Also known as rosella, Hibiscus sabdariffa is an annual herbaceous subshrub of the Malvaceae family. Its leaves are alternate and have thick hair on both sides. With petals that are imbricate, the plant’s flowers open light yellow and age to pink. Its large and fleshy calyces are bright red and quite nutritious. The calyces are quite flavorful once they are dried and cooked.