Flowers - Sunday Stamps II

Three countries this week, all a long way from the UK although I recognise some of the flowers.

New Zealand - 1960/1963

The manuka or the tea tree is a plant in the myrtle family.

A flower from Vietnam is more familiar to me, by name at least..

Vietnam - Chrysanthemum

So far I have been unable to find its date of issue.

In the USA the XIth International Botanical Congress was commemorated on 23 August 1969 with this set of four.

USA

The stamps depict:

• The Lady's Slipper Orchid
• Douglas Fir
• Franklin Tree - native to Alatamaha River in Georgia
• Ocotillo - which apparently is not a true cactus.

To see other flowers selected this week just follow the links at Sunday-Stamps-II-74.

American Lighthouses - Sunday Stamps

This week I just happened to find and old envelope which carried four stamps, each one a different lighthouse.

USA - Lighthouses

Tybee Island lighthouse in Georgia was ordered by General James Oglethorpe, Governor of the 13th colony, in 1732. It guides mariners into the Savannah River and is one of America's most intact lighthouses.

Morris Island Lighthouse, South Carolina

The Morris Island light stands on the southern side of the entrance to Charleston Harbour. Decommissioned in 1962 it was replaced by the new Charleston Light on Sullivan's Island at the north end of the harbour.

Cape Lookout Lighthouse, North Carolina

The Cape Lookout light, 163 feet tall, stands on the Southern Outer Banks of North Carolina, Fully automated in 1950, it was first lit in 1859.

Old Cape Henry Lighthouse, Virginia

Old Cape Henry was the first lighthouse authorised by the US Government. Dating from 1792 it guided shipping heading for Chesapeake Bay.

It is an octangular truncated pyramid of eight sides rising 90 feet to the light. 26 feet in diameter at the base and 16 feet at the top it is built of Aquia Creek Sandstone from the same source as the White House.

To see what others have chosen for this free theme week check out the links at Viridian's Sunday-Stamps-181.