A new species from the eastern Chatkal Mountains in Kyrgyzstan, introduced by J.J. de Groot and K.S. Tojbaev. Initially thought to be a form of T. ferganica, but given its different growing conditions - this tulip grows among shrubs in a partially shaded habitat - and its colour, it was investigated further. Dr Ben J.M. Zonneveld, after whom this species is named, noted the major differences in its DNA. The inside of the petals is bright light yellow, the outside soft yellow, showing a greenish grey to soft red haze. The blue-green, slender leaves, six in number, are wavy.
BELONGS TO THE LILIACEAE FAMILY
The native region of Tulipa lies in Southeast China, where the largest concentration of the Liliaceae is found. From there, they have spread to countries such as Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan.
To a large extent, these are countries with many mountains, such as the Ala Tau mountain range, which extends into China where it is called the Tien Shan. With the fall of the Iron Curtain, it became possible for researchers from the West to study and investigate tulips in their native regions. Hundreds of different species may already have been found, occurring under various conditions. For instance, there are species growing on mountain slopes, on rocky soil, but also in heavy clay up to half a meter deep.
What they generally have in common is: scorching heat in summer and heavy snow in winter.
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