Congo -- Belgian Congo 2F 1952 Belgisch Congo Belge Ansellia
Item Number: 000006
Price: US$0.75
The Ansellia is an orchid also known as African Ansellia (Ansellia africana) or Leopard Orchid native to tropical and South Africa, found alongside coasts and rivers in the canopy of trees, usually at elevations lower than 700 m (occasionally up to 2,200 m).
This plant can grow very large, sometimes with an estimated weight over a tonne. Even eagle owls (Bubo bubo) have been seen to make their nest in such a clump. The delicately scented flowers are 6 centimeters across.
The Belgian Congo was colony of Belgium from 1908 to 1960.
The country has been known by different names at different times:
The Congo Free State (1877–1908)
Belgian Congo (1908–1960)
Congo-Léopoldville (1960–1971)
Zaire (1971–1997)
Democratic Republic of the Congo since 1997 | 
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