2025-11, Edible Mushrooms (II)《食用菌（二）》

Special Stamps: Edible Mushrooms (II) (2025‑11)

China Post issued a set of four special stamps Edible Mushrooms (II) on July 12, 2025.

(4‑1) T Russula virescens (Green‑cracking Russula) 0.80 CNY
(4‑2) T Naematelia sinensis (Chinese Golden Ear) 0.80 CNY
(4‑3) T Tricholoma matsutake (Matsutake) 1.20 CNY
(4‑4) T Thelephora ganbajun (Ganbajun Mushroom) 1.20 CNY

Serial No.: 2025‑11
Stamp size: 30 × 40 mm | Perforation:13.5 degrees
Stamps per full sheet:12 units
Full sheet size:170 × 160 mm
Printing process: Offset printing (partial embossing, scent‑releasing perfumed ink)
Security features: Security paper, security ink, special‑shaped mushroom‑form perforations, fluorescent coding
Designer: Zeng Xiaolian
Responsible editor: Wang Nan
Printer: Beijing Stamp Factory Co., Ltd.
Planned print run: 4.90 million sets
Total face‑value of complete set: CNY 4.00

Edible mushrooms generally refer to large‑sized higher fungi fit for human consumption, divided into cultivated and wild species. As precious natural ingredients gifted by nature, edible mushrooms embody wisdom of harmonious co‑existence between human civilization and natural ecosystems. This stamp series continues the popular‑science‑oriented character of the 1981 first‑issue Edible Mushrooms stamps. Focusing on rare Chinese native species and ecological value, designs merge traditional Chinese naturalism with western realistic painting style. Delicate brushwork, vivid colours and plain‑style illustrations vividly show morphological features and growing habitats of four fungi, presenting beauty of biodiversity and vibrant vitality of nature.

(4‑1) Russula virescens (Green‑cracking Russula): Commonly known as Green Head Mushroom, family Russulaceae. Hard green‑tinged cap with brown‑green scales, widely distributed and well‑known for delicious flavour. Stamp highlights its fresh green tone set within forest background, blending wild natural charm with aesthetic appeal.
(4‑2) Naematelia sinensis (Chinese Golden Ear): Belongs to Naemateliaceae family. Golden‑yellow, flexible gelatinous texture, valued both as food and folk medicine. In 2024 Chinese researchers confirmed it as a new species using DNA barcoding techniques. Botanical‑illustration‑style artwork precisely reproduces its wrinkled, jelly‑like texture.
(4‑3) Tricholoma matsutake (Matsutake): Known as “King of Mushrooms”, family Tricholomataceae. World‑famous precious wild edible fungus, listed as Class‑II protected endangered species in China. Fine brush‑strokes render subtle cap textures and stout stipes, pine‑forest background with soft lighting recreates its native habitat.
(4‑4) Thelephora ganbajun (Ganbajun Mushroom): Endemic‑to‑China species in Thelephoraceae family. Coral‑like clustered branches with grey‑white to grey‑black colour tones. Intricate fine lines depict complex branching structures, simple soft background keeps focus on the fungus itself.

Produced with high‑precision offset combined with partial three‑dimensional embossing and perfumed scent‑release ink. The special mushroom‑shaped irregular perforations match the stamp theme. Three‑dimensional embossing creates layered tactile relief on caps, gills and fungal bodies, simulating texture of fresh mushrooms. Rubbing stamp surface activates perfumed ink to release forest‑mushroom‑like natural fragrance. Combined multi‑sensory craftwork enables visual, tactile and olfactory appreciation, bringing interactive immersive philatelic experience, merging printing‑craft aesthetics with playful interactivity.