Ascension : NEW STAMP ISSUE - Release Date: 7th September 2009
Submitted by The Islander (Ascension Island Government) 10.09.2009 (Article Archived on 24.09.2009)

Introduced Species – Joseph Dalton Hooker -

Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817-1911) was one of the most influential British botanists of the nineteenth century. Although born in Suffolk he was educated at Glasgow High School and later Glasgow University where his father, William Hooker, was a professor of Botany. He attended his father’s lectures from a young age and developed a keen interest in botany, plant distribution and the voyages of explorers such as James Cook.

At the time, travel was the most likely way that aspiring scientists could establish themselves and James Clark Ross’s expedition aboard HMS Erebus and the Terror (1839-43) presented Hooker with the opportunity he needed to establish himself. With assistance from his father, who knew James Clark Ross, he received a commission as Assistant Surgeon aboard HMS Erebus.

Before setting sail Hooker had the opportunity to meet Darwin and to read a draft of his Voyage of the Beagle. Excited by what he read Hooker hoped, albeit with some trepidation, that this voyage would present him with the opportunities that the voyage of the Beagle had afforded to Darwin.

Having completed its circumnavigation of the world Erebus returned to England in 1843 stopping briefly at Ascension Island. The voyage was a success as it both confirmed the existence of the southern continent and charted much of its coastline whilst Hooker was able to secure an admiralty grant to cover the cost of his Botany of the Antarctic Voyage’s plates.

Shortly after his return from the Antarctic Hooker received a letter from Darwin congratulating him on his achievements and asking whether he would be interested in classifying the plants Darwin had gathered in the Galapagos Islands. The two men were to become lifelong friends and Hooker became the first to hear of Darwin’s controversial theory of natural selection. Darwin later acknowledged Hooker as ‘the one living soul from whom I have constantly received sympathy’.

After the publication of many notable works, Hooker was to succeed his father as Director of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.

Although his visit to Ascension was brief it was to have a profound impact and led to an extraordinary transformation of the island’s flora. Prior to the establishment of a garrison on Ascension in 1815 its remoteness and youth (in geological terms) explain why for centuries visitors had only recorded 5 of the 10 endemic species known to have existed on Ascension. After 1815, to make life more bearable for the garrison, various plants were introduced in a somewhat haphazard manner and at the whim of the individuals in charge.

In a lecture given in 1866 Hooker described the “catastrophes” caused by man on various islands by fire, the ravages of goats and the introduction of plants. However two decades earlier his brief visit to the sparsely vegetated Ascension resulted in proposals that amounted to a systematic attempt to transform one of  the most barren islands in the world into a more productive and attractive environment for human occupation. Hooker’s proposals included the planting of trees on the higher levels in the hope of increasing rainfall, the clothing of the steep valley sides to help soil formation and to conserve moisture, the planting of trees and shrubs in the most promising areas of the lower valleys and for the introduction of a variety of tropical and European crops to the mountain gardens.

As a result of these recommendations a gardener was appointed with instructions to obtain as many suitable plants as possible. The first imports arrived in 1845 via Buenos Aires and in 1847 seven hundred packets of herbaceous seeds arrived from Kew shortly followed by a further 8 cases of plants including bamboos, grasses, Eucalyptus, Bougainvillea, Opuntia and Aloe. Consignments of seeds and plants continued to arrive each month until 1850 when this was reduced to an annual despatch.

These early and systematic introductions, designed to turn a barren volcanic island into a green and fertile garden of course had fundamental affects. Today, visitors to the island are confronted with an amazing array of tropical and temperate species from around the world. Of the five plants originally recorded by early botanists and a further four ferns and one grass discovered later, it is thought that four may now be extinct; most likely due to the introduction of exotic and more vigorous competition. Perhaps in his lecture of 1866 Hooker was already having some doubts about his plan to “green” Ascension.

35p - Blue Water Lily, Nymphaea capensis

Originating from Southern and Eastern Africa photographs from 1900 show that these lilies had become well established in the Dew pond on Green Mountain by 1900. However it is not known when they were introduced.

35p - Raspberry, Rubus rosifolius

Raspberries grow in abundance throughout the year on the Mountain paths. The stems are very prickly with bright green leaves. The red fruit is less sweet and pronounced than the English Raspberry, but is edible and pleasant.

40p - Prickly Pear, Opuntia vulgaris

Originating in South America, Opuntia is the hardiest, most widespread and largest genus of cacti.  Writing from Kew in 1847 Hooker had recommended that the plant be obtained from St Helena to clothe the steep sides of the valleys, although it could also have been imported from Madeira or Kew. Once planted the Pear spread rapidly, and in 1974 a moth was introduced in an attempt to control its expansion. The fruits are edible but should be handled with care!

50p - Ascension Lily, Hippeastrum reginae

This plant originates from South America although it could equally have been imported from West Africa. It blooms twice a year on Ascension and its bulbous rootstock ensures its survival even in the absence of rain. It has become the national flower of the island.

65p -Yellowboy, Tecoma stans

Native to central and South America this evergreen shrub is common and spreading. It flowers profusely and can grow to 12 feet high, withstanding very dry conditions.

90p – Portraits of a young and older Joseph Dalton Hooker.

Technical Details

Photography                                                    Reinhard Mischke

Designer                                                          Andrew Robinson 

Printer                                                             BDT International

Process                                                            Stochastic lithography

Stamp Size                                                      28.45 x 42.58mm

Sheet Format                                                   10

Perforation                                                      14 per 2cms

Release Date                                                   7 September 2009

Production Co-ordination                               Creative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd

Sources:

Flowering Plants of Ascension Islands, Wendy Fairhurst

St Helena and Ascension Island: a natural history, Philip and Myrtle Ashmole

These beautifully designed stamps and official first day cover are on sale at the Post Office for a period of fifteen months provided stocks last. Overseas customers may view and purchase them by visiting out web site www.postoffice.gov.ac  or enquires may be made to the Philatelic Bureau, Ascension Island Post Office, Georgetown, Ascension Island, ASCN 1ZZ or telephone + (247) 6260 Fax + (247) 6583