Protected native plants - Germany / German Democratic Republic 1969 - 25 Pfennig

Protected plants The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of the German Democratic Republic publishes six multicolored special postal stamps with pictures of protected plants. For the third time in the German Democratic Republic a brand series with pictures of protected plants, which promotes nature conservation in our republic and helps to deepen the knowledge of our protected flora. All plants which are endangered for research and education of value or in their existence, can be protected according to § 5 of the law for the preservation of the native nature of 4 August 1954. The order for the protection of wild plants from 24 June 1955 names 108 kinds. Of these alone 45 species belong to the orchid family. The beach thistle (Eryngium maritimum), also known as sailor litter, shown on the 25-pfennig value, is not a thistle in the botanical sense, but a umbelliferous plant. It grows from the flat sandy beach to the Dühnen. With its extensive network of roots, it contributes to their consolidation. Unlike most beach plants, the plant is not bound to the salinity of the soil. The spiked leather-like leaves are coated with a layer of wax to protect against water evaporation. From the Badegäszen the beach thistle was coveted as a souvenir, as the Edelweiss in the Alps. Early protection saved the plant from extinction. All plants protected in the GDR must not be damaged, torn out, excavated or picked.