Fragrant Flowers

The Pitcairn Miscellany described them as the “sweet smells of Summer”. They were describing the flowers of Pitcairn that give a beautiful fragrance, both day and night, all over the Island.

Lilium longiflorum , often called the Easter lily, is a plant endemic to both Taiwan and Ryukyu Islands in Japan. It is a stem rooting lily, growing up to 1m high and bearing a number of trumpet-shaped, white, fragrant and outward facing flowers. Lilium longiflorum is known as the Easter lily because in Christianity it is a symbol of the resurrection of Christ, which is celebrated during Eastertide. Legend has it that these flowers sprang up where drops of Jesus' sweat fell as he prayed. These strongly scented flowers (also known as Christmas lilies) are found over the entire island.

Brugmansia suaveolens is a species of flowering plant in the nightshade family Solanaceae, native to south eastern Brazil, but thought to be extinct in the wild. Like several other species of Brugmansia, it exists as an introduced species in areas outside its native range. It is a tender shrub or small tree with large semi-evergreen leaves and fragrant mostly white, creamy flowers. These are remarkably beautiful and sweetly fragrant, about 24–32 cm long and shaped like trumpets. Fragrant in the evenings to attract pollinating moths, they hang half-closed during the day, but return to their peak again in the evenings. The Latin suaveolens means “with a sweet fragrance” but interestingly, every part of Brugmansia suaveolens is poisonous, with the seeds and leaves being especially dangerous.
Fragrant Flowers

Epiphyllum oxypetalum, also known as the Queen of the Night and Night Blooming Cereus, is Pitcairn’s most intoxicating fragrant flower. It blooms rarely and only at night, and its flowers wilt before dawn. Although the flower is native to Southern Mexico and to extensive areas of South America, it is highly prized throughout Asia. Epiphyllum oxypetalum is easily cultivated and fast growing and produces pure white flowers the size of a dinner plate. These open as soon as the sun goes down and stay open all night, then close in the morning. This interesting phenomena is also a heady experience because of the powerful fragrance.
As the flowers bloom according to specific weather and environmental conditions such as rainfall, humidity and temperature, most species go into full bloom during rainy periods in the summer. Some plants even seem to follow a lunar cycle where buds open up around a full moon.

Cestrum nocturnum is commonly known as night-blooming jasmine. It is native to the West Indies but is naturalised in South Asia. It is an evergreen, woody shrub growing to 4 m tall. The flowers are greenish-white with five lobes, 10–13 mm diameter when open at night. This is when they emit a powerful, sweet perfume. Cestrum nocturnum has become widely naturalised in tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, southern China and the southernmost United States, and is difficult to eradicate. It is classed as a weed in some countries but its beautiful scent gives it a deserved place in the category of fragrant flowers.

Fragrant Flowers - purchase
Please Note: All prices are in New Zealand Dollars

Miniature sheet with 4 stamps		$8.60
Stamp set on First Day Cover		$10.10

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
Format:	Block of 4 setenant stamps in a miniature sheet. Stamps are scented
Denominations:	$1.00; $1.80; $2.80 and $3.00
Paper:	104gsm Tullis Russell Yellow-Green phosphor gummed stamp paper
Period of Sale:	30 April 2019 for a period of 2 years