ReTRIeVIA

An interesting historical fact we can be proud of is that the Raffles Pitcher Plant, which is wide-spread in Southeast Asia, was first found in Singapore in 1819.

Would you like to see a Singapore stamp which highlights the pitcher plant named after Raffles?

You do?

Then here’s your chance to design a stamp.

(Look again at pages 5-7 to refresh your memory.)

(Want to know more about Nepenthes rafflesiana? Write to Dr Tan Wee Kiat at dr.wktan@gmail.com)

What about Singapore? Do we have pitcher plants? Fortunately, Singapore does have several varieties of Nepenthes, including the Raffles Pitcher Plant.

Here are two books you can read to find out more.

Carnivorous Plants of Singapore. Published in 1997 by Singapore Science Centre.

Jack & the Carnivorous Pitcher Plant. Published in 1999 by Landmark Books Pte Ltd.

[The book covers show Nepenthes gracilis (left) and Nepenthes rafflesiana (right).]

and even on a fountain!

This fountain and the special First Day Cover, plus the stamps, money and phone card, tell us that Malaysia is very proud of its Nepenthes plants.

(The fountain is in Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia.)

on a First Day Cover which carries a special pitcher postmark,

on the margin of stamps on wildlife,

In terms of publicising interesting plants, Malaysia has done a lot for Nepenthes. Besides the Malaysian $20 note and phone card shown earlier, Nepenthes plants have been featured on many stamps,

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.

Some countries have featured Nepenthes plants prominently on their money. The Seychelles 100-rupee note, for example, highlights Nepenthes.

Besides the Raffles Pitcher Plant, other Nepenthes plants have been shown on stamps and phone cards. Here are some examples from different countries.