Orchids are considered one of the most beautiful species of flowers, and about 1,000 genera with 15,000 to 30,000 species are known. The Lady's Slipper and the Fly Orchid are among the endangered plant species in BiH.
The Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium calceolus) is one of the rarest and most beautiful orchids in Europe. It is named after the flowers, which are shaped like a small slipper. This perennial develops from a thick and knotty underground rootstock. The stem grows to 60 cm in height and bears several large light green leaves. The purple-brown flowers develop at the top of the stem, and surround a large and inflated lemon-yellow "honey lip". It grows in groups in shady or semi-shady places in beech, pine and larch forests.
The Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera) is a unique-looking orchid. A rosette of ground leaves emerges from two oval tubers. It grows from 15 to 40 cm in height.
On the yellow-green stem there is an inflorescence composed of 3 to 15 flowers on which the oblong and velvety "honey lip" of reddish-brown color stands out. At the base of the honey lip are two round, shiny growths that mimic false eyes. It grows on grasslands on limestone grounds, in oak forests and in hedges along rural roads, paths and routes. (Željka Šaravanja).
Croatian Post Ltd. Mostar issued 2 commemorative postage stamps in a sheet of 8 stamps, a postmark and First Day Stamp Cover (FDC).
