This year, the SODA Rewards Gift is inspired by the 150 Years of Singapore Botanic Gardens stamp issue. The Singapore Botanic Gardens was established in 1859 and is the oldest national park in the country. 150 years later, the Gardens transformed itself into a major tourist destination. Themed ‘Flora of Singapore’, the gift set consists of two art prints and a magnet featuring the stamp issue.
The two limited edition art prints feature the reproduction of two paintings: the Vanda Miss Joaquim and the Heliconia. Painted in watercolour by local artist Ms Anna Lu, each scientific drawing is affixed with a $1.10 stamp from the 150 Years of Singapore Botanic Gardens stamp issue.
The Vanda Miss Joaquim is an orchid hybrid between Vanda hookeriana and Vanda teres. This flower was named after Agnes Joaquim in 1893, by the first director of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Mr H.N. Ridley. To foster national pride and identity, the Vanda Miss Joaquim was selected as Singapore’s national flower in 1981.
The Heliconia is the sole genus in the Heliconiaceaea family. Small true flowers are concealed within the colourful bracts, a highly modified leaf which may be take up various shapes.