Title : Protection of the Endangered Species Special
Stamp Serial#
 2052 
KPC#
 C-1565 
MICHEL#
 2080 
StanGib#
 2386 
Scott#
 2018d 
Date of Issue
 02/25/2000 
Quantity
 750,000 
Denomination
 170 won 
Design
 Cypripedium japonicum Thunberg 
Designer
 Lee, Gi-seog 
Image Area
 26mm * 36mm 
Perforation
 °¢ 13 
Sheet Composition
 4 * 3  
Paper
 White unwatermarked
Print
 Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation 
Description
Since 1994, the Ministry of Information and Communication has annually issued special stamps of rare and endangered animal and plant species in an effort to bring public attention to their plight and encourage the drive to protect them. Take note that Sedirea japonica (Lindenb. et Rchb. f.) Gray et Sweet, Lillium cernum Komarov, Hibiscus hamabo Sieb. et Zucc., and Cypripedium japonicum Thunberg are the first aromatic stamps issued in Korea. How about greeting this coming spring with these stamps laden with the scent of violets.

Cypripedium japonicum Thunberg.
This perennial herb grows on Mt. Myungjisan and Mt. Chugyopsan in central Korea. The roots and buds come out from nodes on a long stretched-out creeping rootstock. The stems are upright and grow to about 15~30 cm. Its alternating leaves embrace the stem. The white and yellow-streaked flowers bloom from May to June. The leaves are shaped rather like a skirt, and from this the plant gets its nickname, "Chima-nanch'o" (the Skirt Orchid)