Why the stamp was issued:  To cover the latest Global Forever International Mail Rate.

About the stamp design:  Pictures a photograph by Cindy Dyer of an orange African daisy on a white background.  The overhead shot makes it easy to see the tiny details in the center of the flower.

First Day City:  There was no First Day of Issue Ceremony, but the First Day of Issue Postmark was from Kansas City, Missouri, home of Stamp Fulfillment Services.

About the circular Global Forever set:  The first stamp in the Global Forever series was issued on January 28, 2013.  These new stamps simplified international mail by offering a single stamp for all international destinations.  The international rate stamps could be used on one-ounce letters sent overseas and two-ounce letters to Canada.  To differentiate the classes of Postage Stamps, the Global Forever Series are round stamps and have the word “GLOBAL” printed right on them.  New Global Postage Stamps were issued for rate increases, and a few were also issued picturing holiday symbols to bring cheer to international mail.

History the stamp represents:  African daisies are members of the genus Osteospermum, part of the sunflower and daisy family Asteraceae.  They are also sometimes known as daisybushes, Cape daisies, or blue-eyed daisies.

Like other daisies, African daisies have large, beautiful flowers that come in many different colors.  These include white, pink, purple, yellow, orange, and variegated (hybrids consisting of more than one color).  Some African daisies bloom twice during the summer.  Others bloom earlier in the spring and last longer but do not bloom a second time.  There are approximately 70 species of African daisies in total, all of which are native to southern and eastern Africa and the Arabian peninsula.

African daisies are popular in gardens, though they must be planted annually due to their sensitivity to cold temperatures.  They are also difficult to grow from seed, but can be propagated via cuttings.  African daisies like warm temperatures and full sun, but can tolerate partial shade.  They prefer well-fertilized soil that has good drainage and doesn’t get too dry.

When it’s time to buy flowers this year, consider looking for African daisies at your local nursery.  You’ll love walking through your garden and seeing their bright, beautiful blooms.