Page 10
Brunei has also featured Nepenthes prominently on the front of its $5 note and on a First Day Cover.
On the First Day Cover are two plants named after Sir Stamford Raffles. One is Nepenthes rafflesiana. The other is Rafflesia pricei.
Page 9
Some countries have featured Nepenthes plants prominently on their money. The Seychelles 100-rupee note, for example, highlights Nepenthes.
Page 8
Besides the Raffles Pitcher Plant, other Nepenthes plants have been shown on stamps and phone cards. Here are some examples from different countries.
Page 7
The unusual characteristics of the Raffles Pitcher Plant have fascinated scientists and laymen. The plant has been featured on two stamps and a currency note.
The scientific name of the Raffles Pitcher Plant is Nepenthes rafflesiana.
Page 6
Another special characteristic of the Raffles Pitcher Plant is that the pitchers can have different shapes!
Leaves near the base of the plant produce fat U-shaped pitchers. The upper leaves produce slim V-shaped pitchers.
(Lower pitchers attract crawling insects; upper pitchers attract both crawling and flying insects.)
Page 5
Also named in his honour is a very unusual plant known as the Raffles Pitcher Plant. This plant is unusual because it is carnivorous!
The leaf-tip extends to form a pitcher which is able to trap, drown and digest small animals such as insects and snails.
(The above illustration is a painting by artist Amy Sobrielo.)
(There is another unusual plant named after Raffles mentioned in page 10.)
Page 3
The story of modern Singapore begins with its founding by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819.
On 6 February 1819, Raffles signed an agreement with the local chief to set up a trading station. At that time, Singapore was a simple coastal village.
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Today, the trading station is an international business centre for many big shipping companies and banks.
In honour of Raffles and his foresight, many places have been named after him. Four of these places are featured on Singapore stamps.
