Wild flowers of India

Wild Flowers of India – A Philatelic Tribute

India’s botanical wealth is one of the richest in the world, shaped by its diverse climatic zones and varied topography. From the lush tropical rainforests to high alpine meadows, and from temperate woodlands to coastal wetlands, every corner of the country hosts species of exceptional beauty and ecological significance. There is scarcely a region in India that does not nurture a plant of rare charm or scientific interest.

Honouring this natural heritage, India Post presents a collection of commemorative stamps featuring twelve rare and exquisite wild flowers found across the nation. These stamps celebrate India’s floral diversity while underscoring the importance of its conservation.

Dibang Chirit

Botanical Name: Chirita dibangensis
Family: Gesneriaceae (Gloxinia family)

Named after the picturesque Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, Dibang Chirita is an erect herb distinguished by its delicate beauty. Its solitary flowers grow in the leaf axils and appear bluish-white from the outside, marked with two bright yellow lines on the lower palate and throat.

Kashmir Mallow

Botanical Name: Lavatera cachemiriana
Family: Malvaceae (Mallow family)

Endemic to the Western Himalayas, the Kashmir Mallow is admired for its elegant, ivy-shaped foliage and striking pink blossoms. Each plant bears single, funnel-shaped flowers that bloom from midsummer to autumn. Their obovate petals span 4–8 cm, making them a true highlight of Kashmir’s wild flora.

Cobra Lily

Botanical Name: Arisaema wallachianum
Family: Araceae

The striking Cobra Lily is instantly recognizable by its curved, hood-like spathe—striped in shades of purple or bronze—which resembles a cobra’s raised hood. Distributed from Himachal Pradesh to Sikkim at altitudes of 1,800–4,300 metres, it blooms from July to September.

Bladder Campion

Botanical Name: Silene vulgaris
Family: Caryophyllaceae (Carnation family)

This perennial herb features slender, branching stems that rise 30–100 cm high. Its distinctive white-green flowers hang gracefully, each supported by an inflated, veined sepal tube that resembles a small bladder. The plant flowers from June to August.

A Commitment to Conservation

Through these commemorative stamps on Wild Flowers of India, the Department of Posts reaffirms its dedication to preserving the nation’s botanical heritage. Each stamp serves as a reminder of the rich biodiversity thriving across India—and of the collective responsibility to protect it for future generations.