Gordon Beningfield (British, 1936 - 1998) "Bearberry" Signed lower right. Original Water Color painting on Cold Press Illustration Board.
Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.
This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover of the U.S. 29c Bearberry stamp issued July 24, 1992.
A low, mat-forming evergreen, bearberry grows in nutrient-poor soils of dry open woods, rock outcrops and coastal dunes. It also is commonly found in clearings, burned areas and high above timberline. With its reddish stems and dark evergreen leaves, bearberry makes an attractive plant for landscaping and erosion control. The white or pink urn-shaped flowers -- on the underside of the stems -- bloom from March to June. The genus name comes from the Greek words arktos -- bear -- and staphyle -- grapes -- and refers to the bright red berries, which bears like to eat. Rodents and birds also feed on the fruit, while deer and mountain goats browse on the leaves and stems. Although edible, the dry, meaty berries taste rather bitter to the human palate when eaten raw. Native Americans made a tobacco mixture out of bearberry -- or kinnikinnick as they called it -- and other leaves, and also used the plant to treat various ailments.
Image Size: 7 x 6 in.
Overall Size: 11.5 x 10.5 in.
Unframed.
(B12920)
Condition
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