Colours of Paradise

Pitcairn's proximity to the equator is roughly the same as Hawaii and gives the island a similar sub-tropical climate. Temperatures are constant between 20 and 30 degrees which give rise to many tropical fruits and particularly, flowering plants.

The colourful Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia) and heleconias are standout while the Hibiscus rosa sinensis and the Allamandas are ever-present. More unusual is the Anthurium andraenum and the Alpinia purpurata, which all contribute to make this landscape a stunning tropical feast for the eyes.

The Hibiscus rosa sinensis is a bushy, evergreen shrub or small tree growing 2.5 – 5M (8 –16 ft) tall and 1.5 – 3M (5 –10 ft) wide, with glossy leaves and solitary, brilliant red flowers in summer and autumn. The 5-petaled flowers are 10 cm (4 in) in diameter, with prominent orange-tipped red anthers.

Colours of Paradise datestamp

Strelitzia reginae commonly known as Bird of Paradise is very popular as an ornamental plant and grows to 2M (6.6 ft) tall, with large, strong leaves. Produced on petioles up to 1 m (39 in) long. The leaves are evergreen and arranged in two ranks, making a fan-shaped crown. The flowers stand above the foliage at the tips of long stalks.

The stunning Heliconia rostrata also known as hanging lobster claw is an herbaceous perennial. This plant has downward-facing flowers and provide a source of nectar to birds. The plant grows up to 2.5M in height and flowers in Summer/Autumn. The pendulous flowers can drop to half a metre in depth.

Anthurium andraeanum prefers warm, shady and humid climates, and its most characteristic feature as an ornamental is its brightly coloured spathe leaf, and the protruding inflorescence called the spadix. Common names for plants in the Anthurium genus include tail flower, flamingo flower, and lace leaf. Its name comes from the Greek words anthos, meaning flower, and oura, meaning a tail, referring to the spadix.

Alpinia purpurata – this spreading plant is commonly known as Red Ginger because of its showy flowers. The long bright red tract (or modified leaf) are not the flowers but hold the small white flowers which sit on top. The plant prefers partial shade and moist humid conditions and thrives in the Pacific where it is recognised in Samoa as their national flower.

Allamanda blanchetii is known as the Purple Allamanda and is an evergreen climbing shrub that grows to 1.5 – 3M in height. The attractive flowers which have a trumpet shape in appearance are 5-6 cm in width and appear all year in consistently warm climates. The fruit of this plant appear as spiny seed capsules.

The Artist

Rachel Walker is renowned for watercolour, spray paint, pen and ink artworks that draw on her awe of the natural world. Her drippy, energetic style is both loose in form and precisely detailed — capturing the attitude and beauty of birds, sea creatures, reptiles and wild animals. Rachel’s creative work has seen her involved in a range of projects, including solo gallery exhibitions, commissioned pieces and painting for film and stage sets. The Colours of Paradise flower issue for the Pitcairn Islands is Rachel’s first stamp commission. www.walkerillo.com

Colours of Paradise - purchase
Please Note: All prices are in New Zealand Dollars

Mini sheet with 6 stamps		$9.00
FDC with stamps only		$10.50

Technical Details

Designer:	Rachel Walker, Wellington. New Zealand	Pitcairn Stamps proudly brought to you by:
Printer:	Southern Colour Print, Dunedin, New Zealand
Process:	Offset Litho
Stamp size:	39.97 mm x 36.00 mm horizontal
Mini Sheet Size:	140 mm x 95 mm
Format:	6 setenant stamps within one miniature sheet
Denominations:	3 x $1.00 and 3 x $2.00
Paper:	104gsm Tullis Russell Yellow/Green phosphor gummed stamp paper
Period of Sale:	18 July 2018 for a period of 2 years