It’s wintertime, but flowers will soon be in bloom in mailboxes across the nation.
The Postal Service will release Wild Orchids, stamps that celebrate the exotic beauty of the flowering plants, on Friday, Feb. 21.
Part of the largest family of plants on Earth, wild orchids grow in many climates under a variety of conditions.
They are beloved by flower enthusiasts for their gorgeous colors, unusual look and delicate features. The striking flowers are native to damp woodlands but popular because they can thrive in cultivated gardens or as houseplants.
There are more than 30,000 species of wild orchids in the world. Many that are native to North America are endangered or threatened, making sightings in their natural environment increasingly rare.
Several organizations across the United States are working to preserve orchid habitats.
The Wild Orchids stamps feature images of several species and will be issued in booklets of 20 and coils of 3,000 and 10,000.
Each image is by photographer Jim Fowler, while Ethel Kessler, a USPS art director, designed the stamps.
The stamps will be available at Post Offices and usps.com.