Tulipa cypria, the Cyprus tulip, is a tulip, an erect perennial bulbous herb, 15–40 cm high (in blossom), with glabrous, glaucous leaves. It has four leaves which are alternate, simple, entire and fleshy. The two lower leaves are larger, lanceolate, 10-20 x 2–6 cm, with conspicuously undulate margins while the two higher leaves are much smaller, nearly linear. One terminal showy flower, perianth cup shaped, of six free, petaloid segments, 2.5-9 x 1-3.5 cm, with dark blood-red colour, internally with a black blotch bordered by a yellow zone. It flowers March–April. The fruit is a capsule.The Endemic Plants of Cyprus, Texts: Takis Ch. Tsintides, Photographs: Laizos Kourtellarides, Cyprus Association of Professional Foresters, Bank of Cyprus Group, Nicosia 1998,
Habitat The Cypriot tulip grows in juniperus phoenicea maquis pastures and cereal fields, on limestone at altitudes of above sea level.
Distribution The plant is endemic to Cyprus, on Akamas, Kormakitis and some areas of the Pentadaktylos range. It is very rare and strictly protected.
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