Olympic Games Issue

Man has cultivated palms from ancient times. While the number of palms propagated domestically has increased tremendously in modern times, palms in the wild are becoming more and more threatened. This holds particularly true of island palms where the encroachment oh human populations have in some cases eliminated entirely a very localised endemic species. Even though some 2800 known species of palms exit today, 83% of these are not cultivated making palms among the most endangered of all plant families. 75% of all plants inhabit tropical rain forest. Fiji's forest are the home to no less than 24 native species of palms. 100% of these are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else on the planet, indeed some are so localised that they may exit only in one small valley on one particular island. Should an area such as this be cleared for farming or logging, this species ceases to exit and is lost forever.

Some of Fiji's palms have only recently been discovered such as Alsmithia longipes features on these stamps. Alsmithia along with all but two of Fiji's palms meet the criteria for being rare or threatened. Alsmithia has been proposed for IUCN* Red List Threatened Category Endangered. When one considers these facts and that Fiji ranks in the top ten places in the world for palm richness, putting it ahead of such hot spots as Sri Lanka and even the seychelles, a place world famous for its exotic palm, does the importance of these humble plants become apparent and how vital it is to preserve them. Alsmithia longipes is one of Fiji's more recent discoveries and was only named in 1989 after the noted Pacific botanist and author of Flora Vitiensis, Albert C. Smith. Alsmithia has since become a very sought after palm by collectors primarily because when this palm's emerging leaf opens, it is deep pink or red for two weeks or more making a spectacular display. Even though collectors have been aware of this palm's existence for over ten years, it is still very rare in nurseries. This is largely due to its rarity in the wild. It is only found in Taveuni and Vanu Levu in small isolated colonies of usually less than 100 plants. Alsmithia is also slow growing and only recently have cultivated plants produce seeds. Another remarkable features of this palm that is less known is that its seeds is produced a unique fruity fragnance In its wild state, alsmithia is a delicate wet forest dwelling palm quite inconspicuous in its surrounding expect when it produces its crimson new leaf. Alsmithia has no crown shaft like a coconut palm. The name "longipes" refers to it's usually long petioles or leaf stems. Seed dispersal for this palm seems to be quite limited. In spite of the fruity smell of its seeds, it does not seem to appeal to fruit bats who might carry seeds some distance to aid dispersal. Although it was observed that seed are frequently chewed on probably by parrots, they were not carried off to be eaten and were simply dropped under the producing tree. Running rain water seems to be the only means of dispersal. Certainly this beautiful and rare palm needs more study and all efforts should be made to preserve this and all other endemic Fiji palms.

Fiji's Eco-tourism market is expending and a growing number of these tourist are coming to Fiji just to see some of these palms. Aside from commercial incentives, palm like Alsmithia and all native Fiji palms should be protected and saved just because they exits and are an important part of Fiji's rich natural heritage and, if no other reason than it being a beauty to behold.

Title	Endemic palm of Fiji
Values	$4.00
Designer	Mr. George Bennett
Printer	BTD International
Process	Lithography
Stamp Size	28.45 x 42.58mm
S/S Size	121 x 85mm
Sheet Format	Landscape
Perforation Gauge	14 per 2cm
Paper	CA Watermarked

ENDEMIC PALM OF FIJI STAMP ISSUE
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Man has cultivated palms from ancient times. While the number of palms propagated domestically has increased tremendously in modern times, palms in the wild are becoming more and more threatened. This holds particularly true of island palms where the encroachment oh human populations have in some cases eliminated entirely a very localised endemic species. Even though some 2800 known species of palms exit today, 83% of these are not cultivated making palms among the most endangered of all plant families. 75% of all plants inhabit tropical rain forest. Fiji's forest are the home to no less than 24 native species of palms. 100% of these are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else on the planet, indeed some are so localised that they may exit only in one small valley on one particular island. Should an area such as this be cleared for farming or logging, this species ceases to exit and is lost forever. *Some of Fiji's palms have only recently been discovered such as Alsmithia longipes* features on these stamps.** Alsmithia along with all but two of Fiji's palms meet the criteria for being rare or threatened. Alsmithia has been proposed for IUCN* Red List Threatened Category Endangered. When one considers these facts and that Fiji ranks in the top ten places in the world for palm richness, putting it ahead of such hot spots as Sri Lanka and even the seychelles, a place world famous for its exotic palm, does the importance of these humble plants become apparent and how vital it is to preserve them. Alsmithia longipes is one of Fiji's more recent discoveries and was only named in 1989 after the noted Pacific botanist and author of Flora Vitiensis, Albert C. Smith. Alsmithia has since become a very sought after palm by collectors primarily because when this palm's emerging leaf opens, it is deep pink or red for two weeks or more making a spectacular display. Even though collectors have been aware of this palm's existence for over ten years, it is still very rare in nurseries. This is largely due to its rarity in the wild. It is only found in Taveuni and Vanu Levu in small isolated colonies of usually less than 100 plants. Alsmithia is also slow growing and only recently have cultivated plants produce seeds. Another remarkable features of this palm that is less known is that its seeds is produced a unique fruity fragnance In its wild state, alsmithia is a delicate wet forest dwelling palm quite inconspicuous in its surrounding expect when it produces its crimson new leaf. Alsmithia has no crown shaft like a coconut palm. The name "longipes" refers to it's usually long petioles or leaf stems. Seed dispersal for this palm seems to be quite limited. In spite of the fruity smell of its seeds, it does not seem to appeal to fruit bats who might carry seeds some distance to aid dispersal. Although it was observed that seed are frequently chewed on probably by parrots, they were not carried off to be eaten and were simply dropped under the producing tree. Running rain water seems to be the only means of dispersal. Certainly this beautiful and rare palm needs more study and all efforts should be made to preserve this and all other endemic Fiji palms. Fiji's Eco-tourism market is expending and a growing number of these tourist are coming to Fiji just to see some of these palms. Aside from commercial incentives, palm like Alsmithia and all native Fiji palms should be protected and saved just because they exits and are an important part of Fiji's rich natural heritage and, if no other reason than it being a beauty to behold.