Canada Post has issued a new set of stamps showcasing the beauty and ecological importance of fungi found across the country.
The collection, unveiled August 27, features five species: star-tipped reindeer lichen, oyster mushroom, chicken of the woods, tinder fungus and the microscopic Rhizophagus irregularis.
Fungi, most of which are microscopic, play a crucial role in ecosystems by breaking down dead plants and animals and returning nutrients to the soil. Some species store carbon, while others can decompose pollutants such as plastics and synthetic chemicals. Most plants rely on fungi for survival and growth.
A high resolution image of the five stamps. Photo courtesy of Canada Post.
The stamps also highlight the cultural and traditional significance of fungi. Indigenous Peoples have long used fungi for food, pigments and medicine. Chicken of the woods, for example, was used by some First Nations to soften buckskin for clothing, while tinder fungus provided a reliable source of fire-starting material.
The new stamps were designed by Jocelyne Saulnier of Joce Creative and illustrated by Emily S. Damstra in a style reminiscent of botanical art. The issue includes five Permanent domestic-rate stamps and an Official First Day Cover.
The stamps are cancelled in Punnichy, Sask., near the Touchwood Hills. The wooded area is traditionally known to the Cree as a source of tinder fungus, also called “touchwood fungus” or posâkan in Cree.
Canada Post says the series is meant to highlight not only the natural beauty of fungi but also their role in sustaining ecosystems across the country.