New stamps on Mushroom

 

 

Date of Issue : 6 March 2014

Here is a new set of  stamps featuring mushrooms issued by Swiss Post. The four stamps feature edible mushrooms.

Mushrooms

Picking edible mushrooms such as morel, porcini and chanterelles is a popular leisure pursuit in Switzerland. This is putting pressure on the mushroom populations of  forests, prompting many cantons to introduce picking restrictions. However, humans only pick the fruiting body; the major part of the mushroom, with its root-like filaments, lives concealed underground and performs important functions in the forest ecosystem.

The chanterelle is one of the most popular edible mushrooms and has a delicate, apricot-like flavour. This mychorrizal mushroom is widespread in deciduous and coniferous forests and grows best in acidic soils.

Some mushrooms specialize in breaking down deadwood,leaves and needles and returning these materials to the nutrient cycle. So-called mychorrizal fungi have a close symbiotic relationship with tree roots and improve the absorption of nutrients and water by woodland trees, while pathogenic fungi regulate biodiversity in the forest.

Fungi propagate by means of microscopically small spores which are formed on the underside of the cap in the shape of gills, tubes, ridges or spikes and are spread by the wind. If, for instance, you tread on a puffball, you’ll see a dark cloud of spores escape.

The chanterelle is one of the most popular edible mushrooms and has a delicate, apricot-like flavour. This mychorrizal mushroom is widespread in deciduous and coniferous forests and grows best in acidic soils.

The sooty milk cap is commonly found in alpine coniferous forests, as a mychorrizal partner to the spruce. It is prized as an edible mushroom and has an attractive, velvety surface. When damaged, it releases a white milky substance which turns salmon pink when it hits the air.

Club News

New pictorial cancellation from Germany

On November 9th 2014 a new pictorial cancellation will be issued in 74405 GAILDORF. The cancellation is featuring a Eurasian Green Woodpecker(Picus viridis)-Bird of the Year 2014 in Germany- and two ants.Interested philatelists may please contact: Wolfgang Beyer, Vice Chairman of the German Philatelic Collector Group ARGE ZOOLOGIE. Mail:
Wolfgang.beyer1@aol.de. Postage rates: 0,75 Euro AIRMAIL ,2,90 Euro Registered AIRMAIL.
Courtesy: Axel Brockmann(AIJP).