Bophuthatswana Indigenous Grass
Bophuthatswana, Winterveld · 1984-01-20
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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This cover is postmarked on 20-01-1984 in Winterveld. It carries the second set in Bophuthatswana's Indigenous Grass series, following an initial release in 1981. The four species shown, Buffalo Grass, Tambuki Grass, Pearl millet and Urochloa, were chosen for their value as grazing or thatching material. The stamps were designed by Dick Findlay and the accompanying text was compiled with the Botanical Research Institute at Pretoria Botanic Gardens.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet features a detailed botanical illustration of tall grass heads in shades of gold and green, with a small yellow butterfly resting on one of the seed spikes. The artwork fills the left half of the envelope and captures the texture of the grass in fine linework. "INDIGENOUS GRASS" runs along the bottom in plain type, with a numbered leopard logo marking this as the second release in the series. Three Winterveld date stamps appear across the cover, each bearing its own small grass motif that mirrors the cachet illustration. The four stamps themselves show individual grass species in a naturalistic style, credited to Dick Findlay. This design leans into botanical accuracy rather than decoration. It suits collectors interested in the agricultural and ecological side of Southern African philately.
Information Card
INDIGENOUS GRASS Second of the Series Four of Bophuthatswana's valuable indigenous grasses were depicted on a set of stamps issued in 1981. The four species featured on this second set are suitable for grazing and for use as thatch grass. 10c stamp Panicum maximum Buffalo Grass Buffalo grass is a large, tufted perennial grass that is exceedingly variable in size, hairiness and growth habit. It is a palatable and nutritious pasture grass which may also be cut for haymaking, but is easily damaged by overgrazing. It is generally found in fairly fertile soil protected by trees or shrubs. 20c stamp Hyparrhenia dregeana Tambuki Grass This densely tufted, perennial grass may reach a height of 2 m. It is found in open grassland and often on river-banks. The leaves have hairy basal sheaths and are usually of a blue-green colour. H. dregeana is used for thatching. 25c stamp Cenchrus ciliaris Pearl millet C. ciliaris is a large, tufted, perennial grass with much-branched stems, which often curve down and root at the nodes that touch the ground. The cylindrical inflorescence is at first flushed purple and later turns white. This palatable, highly nutritious grass often grows in sandy or stony soils and is therefore a valuable pasture grass in the lower rainfall-areas, being drought-resistant. 40c stamp Urochloa brachyura Urochloa This grass is usually found in disturbed areas, such as roadsides. It is a coarse, tufted annual growing up to 120 cm high, with a hairy base and broad, flat leaves, which may be up to 16 mm wide. The conspicuous inflorescences bear 2–10 racemes on a common axis, each raceme consisting of paired spikelets along the rachis. (Text compiled with the kind co-operation of the Botanical Research Institute, Pretoria Botanic Gardens.) N.W.
Theme: Wildlife
Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
Estimated value: ~US$0.1
This is a high-level, subjective estimate only, not a professional appraisal.
This first day cover (FDC) is part of Southern Covers, a private collection of 211 first day covers documenting the postal history and philately of South Africa and the homeland states. New to first day cover collecting? Read the guide to learn about cachets, postmarks, and stamp collecting terms, or browse the whole collection of Southern African FDCs.
