loyal brand - Austria / II. Republic of Austria 2016 - 68 Euro Cent

Bright orange and magnificent you can see them in many gardens bloom in early summer - it is hard to believe that there is the fir lily (Lilium bulbiferum) in Austria in the wild. Austrian Post has chosen the colorful lily as a motive for the loyalty stamp brand 2015 and thanks its flower clients for their loyal customers.   Lilies are probably among the most beautiful and species-rich flowers in the world. In addition to the countless hybrid breeds, there are over 100 wild species that thrive in the northern hemisphere in Asia, Europe and America. The fire lily grows to over a meter in height, it has elongated leaves and carries up to five orange-red flowers on a stalk. As with all lilies, six petals and six long stamens are arranged evenly. The petals, which in contrast to many other lilies are only slightly bent, often show dark papillae and fine hairs. Unlike most other species of lilies the fire lily does not smell, it is mainly pollinated by day butterflies. A characteristic of the Feuerlilie is their ability to form on the Blattachseln so-called Bulbillen, which are small Brutzwiebelchen, which fall off later of the plant and thus provide for the multiplication. In the garden, fire lilies can easily be pulled in a sunny or partially shaded spot, they do not place any special demands on the soil; the flower bulbs can remain in the soil in winter. With their large, colorful flowers, fire lilies are a real eye-catcher in every bed. But not only in the garden, but also in a bouquet, the bright flowers look magnificent, by the way, in the floral language, the fire lily - according to its name - is the symbol of passion.