The splendid tulip

The Splendid tulip (Tulipa splendens) is an extremely rare type of tulip from Liliaceae family. It can be found along the river Tundzha and was discovered in 1976 in Tetralika area, near the village of Simeonovo (Yambol district), by the Bulgarian botanist Dimitar Delipavlov. It has not been found anywhere else in other regions of Bulgaria. 

Tulipa splendens grows in corn fields and field borders in the oak forest zone, on deep black-earth (humus) soils on silicate base. It blooms in May with a large red flowers. The plant has a brown underground bulb and from it a 30-40 cm stalk, with several leaves, stems in spring.

Its reproduction is a difficult, because it takes place only by means of seeds, and the new plants fall into blossom as late as their 7-8-th year.

Tulipa splendens is recorded in the Red Book of Bulgaria extinct, endangered and rare plants and animals.