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`Since 1994, the Ministry of Information and Communication has annually issued special stamps of rare and endangered animal and plant species in an effort to bring public attention to their plight and encourage the drive to protect them.Take note that Sedirea japonica (Lindenb. et Rchb. f.) Gray et Sweet, Lillium cernum Komarov, Hibiscus hamabo Sieb.et Zucc., and Cypripedium japonicum Thunberg are the first aromatic stamps issued in Korea.How about greating this coming spring with these stamps laden with the scent of violets. Sedirea japonica (Lindenb. et Rchh. f) Gray et Sweet This perennial herb dwells on evergreen trees and rocks in southern regions of Korea.The leave are elongated ovals 8~15 cm long, thick, and dentde at the edges.This plant produces from four to ten pale greenish-white blossoms in a raceme from June to Auguest.It is chiefly found on the islands of Koje-do, Pogil-do, Chin-do, and Cheju-do. Lillium cernum Komarov This pernnial herb is found on Mt. Kayasan in Kyongsangnam-do, Mt. Chuwangsan in Kyongsangbuk-do, Mt. Woraksan in Ch`ungch`ongbuk-do, and Kangwon-do.It grows to a height of 50~70 cm and is characterized by egg-shaped bulbs 3 cm long and 2 cm in diameter.The thin leaves crowed together in an alternating pattern and are 10~15 cm long.Its flowers appear in terminal clusters of oneto six from June to August and are a pink-tinged violet in color. Hibiscus hamabo Sieb. et Zucc. This deciduous shrub usually occurs in the coastal forests of Cheju-do island and the southernislands of Korea.The stalk growsto 1~2 m tailand has many branches.Theleaves are bluntly serrulated on the margins with sparse star-shaped hairs on the surface and downy underside.It bears pale yellow flowers thatare about 5 m in diameter.One or two flowers grow on each individual flower stalk and are in bloom during July and August. Cypripedium japonicum Thunberg This perennial herb grows on Mt. Myungjisan and Mt. Chugyopsan in central Korea.The roots andbluds come out from nodes on a long stretched-out creeping rootstock.The steams are upright and growto about 15~30 cm.Its alternating leaves embrace the stem.The white and yellow-streaked flowers bloom from May toJune.The leaves are shaped rather like a skirt, and from this the plant gets its nickname, Chima-nanch`o (the Skirt Orchid)`