CROATIAN FLORA 2000 - MICROMERIA CROATICA

The postage stamps have been issued in a combined edition in a 20-stamp sheet, and individually in two stamp booklets of ten stamps each. The Croatian Post issued First Day Cover (FDC). MICROMERIA CROATICA belongs to the genus Micromeria from the plant family Lamiaceae or Labiatae. Among the Micromeriae we can distinguish some 70 to 100 species spread all over the world, most of them being in the Mediterranean. They all look alike: small, widespread semi-shrubs, the flowers of these plants are sessiler or on short stalks, their colours are red, purple, pale purple or white. The Micromeria croatica is an endemic plant of the nortwestern part of the Dinara mountain range, particularly of Velebit. In July and August, even earlier, in the course of June or later, in September), the rocky area of Velebit comes to life with the inflorescence of the Micromeria croatica, with its small flowers situated in twos or threes together in the axils of the upper leaves. The flowers stand on long thin stalks. The calyx is no longer than a few millimetres, and the corolla is violet to purple in colour, and is hairy on the outside part.The Micromeria croatica is a plant growing in the crevices of the calcareous and dolomitic cliffs, crags and bluffs and on the rocky meadows, at the height reaching from 150 to 1600 metres above sea level. In Croatia we can find it in Lika, in many places of the Gorski Kotar region, and it can also be found in the regions of the neighbouring countries. The plant Micromeria croatica is represented by a greater number of entities. It grows in places where it is still not within the reach of the man's influence. This is why it is still not endangered and can do without the protection of legal regulations.