Southern Rhodesia Philately: Ansellia (Ansellia africana)

Ansellia is considered a monotypic genus of orchid, with only one species, Ansellia africana, commonly known as African ansellia or leopard orchid. However, it may in fact be a complex group of species which share common floral structure and growth habit.

The plants are found throughout neotropical and subtropical Africa. It was named after John Ansell, an English assistant botanist. who found the first specimens in 1841 on the Fernando Po Island in West Africa.

Stamps & Postal Products

1964 Definitive Series – 9d Ansellia Orchid

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