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Research Article
Revisiting the genus Tulipa (Liliaceae) in Kazakhstan, the country with the richest tulip diversity worldwide
expand article infoSerik A. Kubentayev, Shukherdorj Baasanmunkh§, Daniyar T. Alibekov, Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev|, Nudkhuu Nyamgerel§, Anna A. Ivashchenko, Zagarjav Tsegmed§, Vladimir G. Epiktetov#, Gulnara T. Sitpayeva#, Klara S. Izbastina, Zhansaya T. Idrissova, Saule K. Mukhtubayeva, Nurganym B. Abubakirova, Hee-Young Gil¤, Hyeok Jae Choi§
‡ Astana Botanical Garden, Astana, Kazakhstan
§ Changwon National University, Changwon, Republic of Korea
| Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
¶ Institute of Zoology, Almaty, Kazakhstan
# Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction, Almaty, Kazakhstan
¤ Korea National Arboretum, Pocheon, Republic of Korea
Open Access

Abstract

The genus Tulipa L., belonging to the Liliaceae family, has significant economic, horticultural, and ecological importance and is culturally revered in various regions worldwide. The total number of Tulipa species, including 90–120 taxa, varies based on different sources. Globally, Kazakhstan has one of the highest diversities of Tulipa species, most of which are threatened. In this study, we update and revise the Tulipa species in Kazakhstan based on field observations and an extensive herbarium specimens’ survey. A total of 41 taxa were identified, including 13 species endemic to Kazakhstan, among which seven species have been assessed as threatened globally. Furthermore, we gathered 1,942 occurrence records of 41 Tulipa taxa to analyze spatial arrangement of Tulipa species richness in Kazakhstan. Based on these results, we identified 22 grid cells with a high diversity of tulip species in southern Kazakhstan. We also present taxonomic key for all Tulipa species occurring in Kazakhstan, along with comments on their general distribution, habitat, phenology, distribution map, and conservation status. In addition, a color plate for each species is provided. Overall, our study provides valuable insights into the conservation status, distribution patterns, and biodiversity of Tulipa species in Kazakhstan, laying a foundation for targeted conservation efforts and further research in the region.

Key words

Conservation, endemism, species pattern, threatened species, Tulipa

Introduction

Tulipa L. species, belonging to the Liliaceae family, have significant economic, horticultural, ecological, and aesthetic importance, are culturally revered in various regions worldwide (Pavord 1999). However, the total number of Tulipa species varies among sources; for example, 104, and 95 taxa have been accepted in the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP 2024) and Plants of the World Online (POWO 2024), respectively. Although Christenhusz et al. (2013) revised the Tulipa genus to include 76 accepted species, several new Tulipa species have since been discovered (de Groot and Zonneveld 2020; Rukšāns and Zubov 2022; de Groot and Zonneveld 2024).

The bulbs of Tulipa spp. are covered with a thin tunic that is glabrous or hairy. Typically, large flowers are trimerous, comprising two whorls of three brightly colored tepals, with the two whorls sometimes differing in color or having differently colored blotches at the base of each tepal (Hall 1940; Botschantzeva 1962). In addition, Tulipa species are identified based on various characteristics including capsule length, diameter, and shape; carpophore size, shape, and color; narrowed sterile upper portion of the capsule; and stigma shape, color and position (Botschantzeva 1962). More recently, Dekhkonov et al (2022) studied the morphological characteristics of 48 species from Central Asia, which are well supported at the section level.

Species of this genus occur naturally in temperate habitats, ranging from the Middle East, Central Asia, and North China to southern Europe and North Africa (Botschantzeva 1962; Zonneveld 2009; Christenhusz et al. 2013; Everett et al. 2013). Tulipa originated in Central Asia (Vvedensky and Kovalevskaya 1971); specifically, areas bounded by the Pamir-Alay and Tian Shan mountain ranges (Hoog 1973) are considered the primary centers of the genus diversity (Botschantzeva 1962; Dekhkonov et al. 2022). In particular, Kazakhstan has a high diversity of Tulipa species, with over 40 taxa (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019), followed by 34 taxa in Uzbekistan (Dekhkonov et al. 2021, 2022; Tojibaev et al. 2022) and 20 taxa in Turkey (Eker et al. 2014). Numerous researchers have studied the genus Tulipa based on conservation, prediction modeling, morphology, and molecular evidence. For example, Eker et al. (2014) revised the Tulipa species in Turkey based on many herbarium records and field observations. Similarly, Tojibaev et al. (2022) updated Uzbekistan Tulipa species using a taxonomic key and distribution. Meanwhile, Wilson et al. (2021) investigated the prediction modeling of several Tulipa species in Central Asia. Several studies have investigated the phylogenetic relationships among Tulipa species based on their plastomes and nuclear DNA sequences (Hajdari et al. 2021; Eker et al. 2024; Samartza et al. 2024; Sutula et al. 2024). In addition, complete plastome and comparative analyses have been conducted on several Tulipa species (Li et al. 2021; Yuan et al. 2022; Xing et al. 2023; Almerekova et al. 2024a, b; Tussipkan et al. 2024)

A brief history of Tulipa in Kazakhstan

In the late 18th century, P.S. Pallas surveyed Western Siberia and the adjacent territories and was the first to describe herbarium specimens of tulips from Kazakhstan (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019). A more detailed study of the diversity of Tulipa species in Kazakhstan began in the 19th century by A. Lehman, I. Kirilov, I. Borshchow, L. Shrenk, and S. Karelin and E.A. von Regel, whose herbarium specimens have since been preserved, serving as invaluable materials for studying tulips. Accordingly, many plant species, including tulips, have been named after these scientists, including Tulipa schrenkii Regel, T. borszczowii Regel, and T. lemmersii Zonn., Peterse & J.de Groot (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019).

Specifically, in the second half of the 19th century, E.L. Regel made an invaluable contribution studying Kazakhstani tulips by describing 17 tulip species (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019). One of the most remarkable species of tulips in terms of leaf shape, Tulipa regelii Krasn, is named in his honor. He distinguished the presence or absence of pubescence on the inner leaflets of the perianth and the base of the stamens as the main characteristics for species identification (Botschantzeva 1962). Aleksey Ivanovich Vvedensky also contributed greatly to the study of wild tulips in Central Asia, describing 17 new species of tulips in the 20th century, of which six species were described in Kazakhstan. He provided the account of tulips in “Flora of USSR” (Vvedensky 1935), with changes in the tulip classification system including distinguishing two monotypic sections Spiranthera Vved. and Lophophylon Vved. He also processed the genus Tulipa in “Flora of Uzbekistan” (Vvedensky 1941), “Flora of Tajikistan” (Vvedensky 1963), and “Conspectus Florae Asiae Mediae” (Vvedensky and Kovalevskaya 1971).

Zinaida Petrovna Botschantzeva devoted her life to studying tulips in Central Asia, describing five new species and publishing a monograph, Tulips: morphology, cytology and biology” (Botschantzeva 1962). Her study provided a detailed description of 61 species of Central Asian wild tulips, including data on the geography, morphology, biology, and karyosystematics of tulips. Accordingly, Tulipa zenaidae Vved. and T. botschantzevae S.N.Abramova & Zakal were named in honor of Z.P. Botschantzeva. Meanwhile, A.A. Ivashchenko has studied wild bulbous plants, including tulips, in Kazakhstan since 1963 (Ivashchenko 1987, 2005, 2007; Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019). In addition to numerous publications on floristic studies in South Kazakhstan, she has published two monographs devoted to Tulips and other bulbous plants of Kazakhstan” (Ivashchenko 2005) and “Kazakhstan is the birthplace of Tulips” (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019). In Tulips and other bulbous plants of Kazakhstan” Ivashchenko described the cultivation, morphology and ecology peculiarities, geographical distribution, practical importance, and existing protection measures of 50 bulbous plants, including 34 species of tulips in Kazakhstan (Ivashchenko 2005). More recently, “Kazakhstan is the birthplace of Tulips” included 42 species of tulips, including colorful illustrations and maps of species distribution ranges in Kazakhstan (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019).

According to various sources, the number of tulips in Kazakhstan ranges from 32 to 42. For example, Polyakov (1958) revised the classification of wild tulips in “Flora of Kazakhstan” to include 32 species. Similarly, Abdulina (1999) updated the list of flora in Kazakhstan to include 34 tulip species. Later, Baitenov (2001), in treating the genus synopsis of the flora of Kazakhstan, reported 33 species of tulips. Recently, Ivashchenko and Belyalov (2019) updated and revised the tulips of Kazakhstan to include 42 species. Over the past 20 years, the new species of tulips have been described in Kazakhstan: T. kolbintsevii Zonn. (Zonneveld and de Groot 2012), T. lemmersii Zonn., Peterse & J.de Groot (Veldkamp and Zonneveld 2012), T. ivasczenkoae Epiktetov & Belyalov (Epiktetov and Belyalov 2013), T. auliekolica Perezhogin, T. turgaica Perezhogin (Perezhogin 2013), T. annae J.de Groot & Zonn, T. dianaeverettiae J.de Groot & Zonn. (de Groot and Zonneveld 2020), T. salsola Rukšāns & Zubov (Rukšāns and Zubov 2022), T. jansii J.J. de Groot & Zonn., and T. kujukense J. de Groot & Zonn. (de Groot and Zonneveld 2024). According to the latest checklist of endemic vascular plants, 13 species are endemic to Kazakhstan (Kubentayev et al. 2024). However, our understanding of overall distribution, species diversity, and conservation issues on Kazakhstan Tulipa is far from complete.

In the present study, we revisited the genus Tulipa in Kazakhstan based on field surveys (2020–2024) and extensive herbarium specimens. The primary aims of this study are to (i) provide an updated synopsis with the taxonomic keys and taxonomic notes on all species along with photographic documentation of wild plants, (ii) determine species diversity and distribution using all known occurrence records from various sources across Kazakhstan, and (iii) discuss future conservation actions for tulips.

Materials and methods

Plant distribution data

Species occurrences data were gathered from four main sources: (i) field survey observations between 2020 and 2024; (ii) literature (i.e. Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019; de Groot and Zonneveld 2024) survey; (iii) herbarium collections from AA, ALTB, BRNU, СО, E, GB, KFTA, KG, KNU, KSPI, KUZ, L, LE, LECB, MHA, MW, NUR, O, TALL, TASH, TK, US (Thiers 2023) and (iv) the iNaturalist and Plantarium platforms. We collected herbarium specimens, which were deposited in the NUR, during the field surveys. Photographs of wild Tulipa species populations were captured by the authors during field surveys. Moreover, additional tulip photographs from the iNaturalist (https://www.inaturalist.org/) and Plantarium (https://www.plantarium.ru/) platforms were used.

A total of 2,496 occurrence records were gathered, including 821 herbarium specimens and 1,675 observations from iNaturalist (accessed on 01 Apr 2024). The coordinates and misidentification of each observation were critically examined on iNaturalist. After removing duplicates and doubtful records, 1,942 occurrence records were retained for species pattern analysis.

For the characterization of each species distribution, the floristic division of Kazakhstan (Fig. 1) was divided into 29 regions and 7 sub-regions, based on Pavlov (1956).

Figure 1. 

Map of the floristic division of Kazakhstan based on Pavlov (1956): 1 – Syrt, 2 – Tobol-Ishim, 3 – Irtysh, 4 – Semipalatinsk pine forest, 5 – Kokchetav, 6 – Caspian region, 6A – Bukeev, 7 – Aktobe, 7A – Mugojary, 8 – Emba, 9 – Turgay, 10 – Western Upland, 10A – Ulutau, 11 – Eastern Upland, 11A – Karkaraly, 12 – Zaysan, 13 – Northern Ustyrt, 13a – Buzachi, 13B – Mangyshlak, 14 – Aral region, 15 – Kyzylorda, 16 – Betpak -Dala, 17 – Moiynkum, 18 – Balkhash-Alakol, 19 – Southern Ustyrt, 20 – Kyzylkum, 21 – Turkestan, 22 – Altai, 23 – Tarbagatai, 24 – Dzungarian Alatau, 25 – Trans-Ili Kungey Alatau, 25A – Ketmen -Terskey Alatau, 26 – Chu-Ili Range, 27 – Kyrgyz Alatau, 28 – Karatau, 29 – Western Tian Shan.

Species richness and conservations

We created a grid net for Kazakhstan with a spatial resolution of 0.5° × 0.5° grid size (equivalent to approximately 50 × 50 km2) using the FishNet tool in ArcGIS 10.3 (Esri 2012). The country was divided into 1294 grid cells. Additionally, three diversity measures were estimated using Biodiverse v.4.1 software: species richness (SR), weighted endemism (WE), and corrected weighted endemism (CWE), (Laffan et al. 2010). The WE was estimated by considering the presence or absence of a species within a cell, whereas the CWE was determined by calculating the proportion of endemic species within a cell relative to the total endemic SR of the cell (Laffan and Crisp 2003).

The conservation status of each species followed the Red Book of Kazakhstan (Baitulin 2014), which assumes three categories of rarity, i.e., I – very rare and critically endangered species, II – very rare species, and III – a rare species with a shrinking range. In addition, the global conservation status of the species, if assessed, was defined using the IUCN (2024) criteria.

Phylogenetic analysis

To explore the evolutionary relationship of Tulipa spp. in Kazakhstan, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences for 30 Tulipa species, collected only from Kazakhstan and belonging to three subgenera, were downloaded from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) GenBank (Suppl. material 1: table S1). Amana edulis (Miq.) Honda and Erythronium sibiricum (Fisch. & C.A.Mey.) Krylov were selected as the outgroup based on previous studies. Briefly, the sequences were aligned using Clustal Omega (Sievers et al. 2020) as implemented in a Geneious Prime 2024.0.5 (http://www.geneious.com). The phylogenetic analyses were conducted using the maximum likelihood (ML) method in RAxML v.8.2.11 (Stamatakis 2006) with the best-scoring ML tree algorithm and 1000 bootstrap replicates. The reconstructed trees were visualized using Figtree v.1.4.2 (Rambaut 2012).

Results and discussion

Diversity of Tulipa in Kazakhstan

In this study, 41 Tulipa taxa, including 1 hybrid, Tulipa × tschimganica Botschantz., were identified (Suppl. material 1: table S2) in Kazakhstan, currently the highest number of taxa reported for a particular country in terms of the number of species and endemics. According to our previous study (Kubentayev et al. 2024), a total of 13 species— i.e., T. alberti, T. auliekolica, T. annae, T. brachystemon, T. berkariensis, T. dianaeverettiae, T. ivasczenkoae, T. kolbintsevii, T. lemmersii, T. orthopoda, T. regelii, T. salsola, and T. turgaica — were identified as being endemic to the country. However, two previously described endemic tulips from the present study, i.e., T. annae and T. berkariensis (Kubentayev et al. 2024) were excluded from the current study’s list of endemic tulips in Kazakhstan as T. annae also occurs in China (de Groot and Zonneveld 2020) and T. berkariensis is a synonym of T. kaufmanniana (Christenhusz et al. 2013; Everett et al. 2013; Sennikov and Tojibaev 2021). Instead, two newly described species endemic to Kazakhstan, T. jansii and T. kujukense (de Groot and Zonneveld 2024), were included on the list. Finally, a point distribution map was generated based on the herbarium (black dot) and observation records (red triangles) across the country for each species. A distribution map of Tulipa × tschimganica was created based on the T. kaufmanniana record, a parent species.

Tulipa collection efforts in Kazakhstan

The number of occurrences and collection years between the herbarium specimens and the observations were compared (Fig. 2). Most herbarium collections were found to be conducted before 2000. In contrast, the number of Tulipa observations on the iNaturalist platform has dramatically increased, owing to the efforts of numerous citizen scientists. Specifically, over 1,600 occurrences of 29 Tulipa species have been recorded by iNaturalist. Meanwhile, herbarium collections of Tulipa species in Kazakhstan have declined over the past 20 years, primarily due to many Tulipa species being threatened. In contrast, observations via photographic evidence have recently increased, which is beneficial for protecting threatened species and monitoring the current distribution of Tulipa.

Figure 2. 

Number of herbarium specimen collection and observations on iNaturalist of Tulipa species in Kazakhstan.

Phylogenetic relationship of Tulipa spp. in Kazakhstan

A phylogenetic tree was generated for 43 accessions of 31 Tulipa species, including 7 endemic species (Fig. 3). The phylogenetic analysis of Tulipa was based on the nuclear ITS region with a length of 475 bp, of which 85 bp were parsimony-informative. Tulipa species from Kazakhstan formed a monophyletic phylogenetic tree with strong bootstrap values (Fig. 3). In general, Tulipa species were clustered into two main clades. The first included species of the subgenus Orithyia (Fig. 3), while the second clade was divided into two groups represented by species of the subgenera Eriostemones and Tulipa (Fig. 3), similar to the results of previous studies (Christenhusz et al. 2013; Hajdari et al. 2021; Chernysheva et al. 2023; Eker et al. 2024). Finally, about 90% of total tulip species from Kazakhstan were successfully sequenced (nrITS) and available on NCBI (Suppl. material 1: table S1). In addition, several studies have been investigating the complete plastome analysis (Almerekova et al. 2024a, b) and the population genetic (Yermagambetova et al. 2024) of Tulipa species in the country.

Figure 3. 

Phylogenetic tree of the Tulipa species based on the ITS sequence using the maximum parsimony method. Each subgenus is indicated as follows: Orithyia in yellow, Eriostemones in blue, and Tulipa in green. The endemic Tulipa species are indicated by E in red color.

Species richness and conservation of Tulipa in Kazakhstan

Three different indices were analyzed (i.e., SR, WE, and CWE, for Tulipa species using 1,942 occurrences across the country (Fig. 4). The spatial distribution of records was assessed with most tulips collected in eastern Kazakhstan (Fig. 4A). In general, Tulipa species were unevenly distributed in the 295 grid cells across the country (Fig. 4B). For the SR, we identified 22 grids with high tulip SR, with 4–9 species concentrated in these grids, particularly in eastern Kazakhstan (Fig. 4B). The CWE ranged between 0.001 and 1, and the maximum values of 0.51–1 in a single grid cell were recorded for CWE. The WE ranged between 0.01 and 0.13, but a WE maximum value of 0.84–1.70 was recorded for the eight grid cells. In conclusion, based on the SR, WE, and CWE indices, most Tulipa species are distributed in the high mountains of southern and eastern Kazakhstan.

Figure 4. 

Species diversity of Tulipa in Kazakhstan A distribution map based on all records B species richness (SR) C weighted endemism (WE) D corrected weighted endemism (CWE).

The distribution of Tulipa species in Kazakhstan was uneven, with most species recorded on the ridges of Western Tian Shan. The fewest species were recorded in the desert areas of southwestern Kazakhstan and the steppe regions of Northern and Central Kazakhstan. The highest concentrations of Tulipa species were documented in three floristic regions: Western Tian Shan (12 species), Trans-Ili Kungey Alatau (10 species) and Dzungarian Alatau (8 species). Additionally, 5–7 species were observed in 11 other floristic regions, namely Karatau (7 species), Moiynkum (7 species), Turgay (7 species), Altai (6 species), Betpak-Dala (6 species), Chu-Ili Range (6 species), Kyrgyz Alatau (6 species), Turkestan (6 species), Western Upland (6 species), Aral region (5 species), and Balkhash-Alakol (5 species); 2–4 species were identified in 15 floristic regions: Aktobe (4 species), Eastern Upland (4 species), Ketmen-Terskey Alatau (4 species), Mugojary (4 species), Tobol-Ishim (4 species), Zaysan (4 species), Bukeev (3 species), Caspian region (3 species), Kyzylorda (3 species), Syrt (3 species), Tarbagatai (3 species), Ulutau (3 species), Emba (2 species), Karkaraly (2 species), and Northern Ustyrt (2 species); and 1 species each was identified in Irtysh, Kokchetav, Kyzylkum, Mangyshlak, Semipalatinsk Pine Forest, and Southern Ustyrt. Meanwhile, no Tulipa species were detected in Buzachi (Suppl. material 1: table S2).

Generally, the distribution of tulip species was consistent with the findings of Asatulloev et al. (2023), who mapped and analyzed the distribution patterns in ecoregions and phytogeographic regions in Central Asia. The results also aligned with the studies of Ivashchenko and Belyalov (Ivashchenko 2005; Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019), who distinguished two mountainous centers of species diversity in Kazakhstan (Tian Shan Zhetusy and Altai-Tarbagatai) and one plain center of tulip diversity, covering vast areas of steppes and deserts.

However, a new location for T. altaica was found in the current study in the Western Upland and Betpak-Dala in Kazakhstan, significantly extending the species’ general distribution range. Additionally, new localities of T. auliekolica were established in Northern Kazakhstan. Previously, this species was only reported in two localities, including the classical locality (15 km from the Karamendy). Moreover, T. annae was listed for the first time in the Dzungarian Alatau (Taskora Gorge), based on photographic observations by Kolbintsev (2016).

Of all 41 species of tulips in Kazakhstan, 18 species are listed in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan (Baitulin 2014), including: Category I – two species (T. biflora and T. lehmanniana); Category II – eight species (T. alberti, T. borszczowii, T. brachystemon, T. heteropetala, T. korolkowii, T. regelii, T. tarda, and T. zenaidae); Category III – eight species (T. greigii, T. kaufmanniana, T. kolpakowskiana, T. ostrowskiana, T. patens, T. suaveolens, and T. uniflora) (Suppl. material 1: table S2). This categorization does not correspond to the current state of tulip rarity in Kazakhstan, requiring radical revision. Hence, a regional reassessment of all tulips according to the IUCN assessment criteria is required for the next edition of the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan. Additionally, according to long-term observations, T. biflora, T. patens and T. biebersteiniana should be excluded from the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan; they do not require protection. Meanwhile, the following five species should be included in the next edition of the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan: T. dubia, T. iliensis, T. ivasczenkoae, T. lemmersii, and T. orthopoda. Additionally, the regional conservation status for the potential protection of nine tulip species in Kazakhstan requires reassessment: T. annae, T. jansii, T. kujukense, T. kolbintsevii, T. salsola, T. turgaica, T. auliekolica, T. × tschimganica, and T. dianaeverettiae.

Based on the IUCN (2024) criteria, 27 tulips species from Kazakhstan were assessed at the global level. This analysis identified seven threatened species, comprising two critically endangered (CR) species (T. dianaeverettiae and T. ivasczenkoae), two endangered (EN) species (T. regelii and T. kolbintsevii), and three vulnerable (VU) species (T. lemmersii, T. orthopoda and T. zenaidae). The remaining 20 species were assessed as near threatened, comprising 10 near threatened (NT) species (T. alberti, T. borszczowii, T. dubia, T. iliensis, T. kaufmanniana, T. kolpakowskiana, T. korolkowii, T. lehmanniana, T. ostrowskiana and T. uniflora) and 10 least concern (LC) species (T. altaica, T. bifloriformis, T. brachystemon, T. dasystemon, T. greigii, T. heteropetala, T. heterophylla, T. tarda, T. tetraphylla, and T. turkestanica).

Taxonomic key of Tulipa in Kazakhstan

Identification key for the sections of Tulipa in Kazakhstan

1 Filaments glabrous, flowers generally bowl-shaped with a rounded base and predominantly with red or yellow color, if white ovary as long as stamens, with a very long style 2
Filaments with hairs at the base and/or soft hairs along their length; flowers funnel-shaped, with a slight constriction just above the base, and predominantly white or whitish-yellow color 7
2 Bulb tunics typically papery and glabrous inside; leaves 2; ovary as long as stamens, with a very long style sect. Orithyia
Bulb tunics typically of varying consistency, from papery to coriaceous and covered with varying degrees of hair on the inside; leaves usually 2 to numerous; ovary slightly shorter than stamens, with sessile style 3
3 Anthers opening gradually and slowly (during 2–3 days) from tip to base and becoming contorted sect. Spiranthera
Anthers opening rapidly, not becoming contorted 4
4 Leaves narrow, glaucous; bulb tunic extended, sometimes up to soil level sect. Kolpakowskianae
Leaves often broad; bulb tunic not extended up to soil level 5
5 Leaves with anthocyan markings sect. Vinistriatae
Leaves without anthocyan markings 6
6 Bulb tunics scales leathery, long hairy inside, more densely hairy basally and apically; stem pubescent; leaves erect-ascending, the lower leaf base is as high above the ground, glossy, pubescent adaxially, whitish-reddish margined, keeled; tepals red with yellow 3-dentate spot at base sect. Lanatae
Bulb tunics weakly coriaceous, blackish-brown, more or less hairy all over; stem glabrous to more or less pubescent; leaves more or less spreading, scattered, glaucous, rather crisp, glabrous or pubescent; tepals polychrome in color, usually red, yellow or white, basal blotch black or yellow or absent sect. Tulipa
7 Bulb tunics covered inside with some short, sometimes adpressed hairs on the top, middle part glabrous or ± glabrous; anthers oblong and without cusp sect. Sylvestres
Bulb tunics covered inside with woolly, sometimes densely adpressed hairs on the top and base anthers terminating in a short cusp sect. Biflores

Subgenus Tulipa

Sect. Tulipa L.

Tulipa suaveolens Roth in Ann. Bot. (Usteri) 10: 44 (1794).

Type

Tulipa gesneriana L., Sp. Pl. 1: 306 (1753).

Sect. Lanatae (Raamsd.) Zonn. in Pl. Syst. Evol. 298: 90 (2012).

Tulipa ivasczenkoae Epiktetov & Belyalov in Turczaninowia 16: 5 (2013).

Basionym

Tulipa ser. Lanatae van Raamsd., van Raamsd. & T. de Vries, Pl. Syst. Evol. 195: 40 (1995).

Type

Tulipa lanata Regel, Trudy Imp. S.-Peterburgsk. Bot. Sada 8: 647 (1884).

Sect. Kolpakowskianae Raamsd. ex Zonn. & Veldkamp., Pl. Syst. Evol. 298: 90 (2012).

Type

T. kolpakowskiana Regel, Trudy Imp. S. Peterburgsk. Bot. Sada 5: 266 (1877).

Identification key for Tulipa sect. Kolpakowskianae in Kazakhstan

1 Bulb tunic fibrous, splitting, black to tawny, prolonged to soil surface, inside densely covered with curly woolly hairs; stamens one-third to two-fifths the length of perigone; filaments black to purple 2
Bulb tunic not fibrous and splitting, black to dark brown, not prolonged or slightly prolonged (if prolonged up to soil surface, then lined with woolly hairs at the top and glabrous below); stamens two or three times shorter than the perigone, filaments yellow 3
2 Upper leaves exceeding or at least reaching the flower; aboveground part one-half to two-thirds as long as the underground part; tepals with a dark violet blotch on both surfaces T. borszczowii
Upper leaves do not exceed the flower; aboveground part as long as or slightly longer than the underground part; tepals usually with a dark basal blotch on the inner surface, rarely on both surfaces T. lehmanniana
3 Stem in upper part and peduncle pubescent 4
Stem and peduncle glabrous 5
4 Stem up to 7.5 cm long, reddish green leaves usually lying on the soil surface ; tepals with short hairs on both sides near the base, tepals outside dull pinkish-red with yellow margins T. annae
Stem up to 35 cm long, green; leaves usually scattered on the stem, never lying on the soil surface, glabrous; tepals glabrous, outer tepals outside yellowish-gray with a pinkish haze between the center and narrow yellow margins T. altaica
5 Tepals usually red, sometimes yellow-red or yellow; filaments black in the lower part and purple in the upper part, rarely in yellow form entirely yellow T. korolkowii
Tepals usually yellow or yellowish, sometimes red filaments commonly concolorous 6
6 Filaments gradually dilated at base, expanded in the middle part 7
Filaments with nearly parallel margins, abruptly narrowed at apex 9
7 Leaves (3–4) 5 up to 7, very close together, all sublorate, surpassing the flower; flowers 1 or 2, up to 4 T. tetraphylla
Leaves (3) 4, spreading, commonly not surpassing the flower; flower usually solitary 8
8 Bulb tunics coriaceous; lowest leaf sublorate to linear-lanceolate, 0.7–1.5 cm broad; tepals mostly acute or acuminate; anthers half as long as filaments T. iliensis
Bulb tunics papery, sometimes subcoriaceous; lowest leaf linear-lanceolate, 2–3 cm broad; tepals mostly obtuse; anthers as long as filaments T. brachystemon
9 Tepals yellow, not blotched; leaves commonly surpassing the flower 10
Tepals usually red with a black basal blotch, sometimes yellow-red or yellow; leaves commonly not surpassing the flower 12
10 Plants small, up to 7 cm tall; tepals usually incurved T. lemmersii
Plants taller, 10–15 cm tall; tepals usually not incurved 11
11 Bulb ovoid or usually slightly prolonged with fibers above the bulb; outer tepals oblong to oblong-rhomboidal, inner tepals oblong-oblanceolate to oblong; filaments straight, orange-yellow T. kolpakowskiana
Bulb pear-shaped, tunics not prolonged and without fibers; outer tepals lanceolate, the tip and nearby margins covered with short hairs, inner tepals obovate; filaments ovate to almost straight, yellow, mottled with grayish T. jansii
12 Tepals usually yellow, lower-most leaf oblong-lanceolate to oblong, 3–6 cm broad T. zenaidae
Tepals usually red, lower-most leaf linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, 1–4 cm broad T. ostrowskiana

Sect. Vinistriatae (Raamsd.) Zonn., Pl. Syst. Evol. 298: 91 (2012).

Type

Tulipa greigii Regel in Gartenflora 22: 290, t. 773. (1873).

Identification key for Tulipa sect. Vinistriatae in Kazakhstan

1 Inner tepals obovate and slightly longer than the outer; leaves profusely violet-speckled on upper side T. greigii
Inner tepals triangular-obovate and shorter than the outer; leaves without violet-speckled on upper side T. alberti

Sect. Spiranthera Vved. ex Zonn. & Veldkamp, Pl. Syst. Evol. 298: 90 (2012).

Type

Tulipa kaufmanniana Regel in Gartenflora 26: 194 (1877).

Identification key for Tulipa sect. Spiranthera in Kazakhstan

1 Relatively small plants, sometimes with almost sessile flowers; leaves curled or undulate; anthers almost equal in length with filaments or up to 1.5 times longer, not becoming strongly incurved or twisted; filaments rather thick T. dubia
Relatively tall plants; flowers usually not sessile; leaves not curled or slightly undulate; anthers 2–4 times longer than filaments, when ripe the tips are curved down and outwards; filaments narrowly triangular 2
2 Anthers becoming strongly incurved or twisted; filaments yellow, dilated at the base; widespread in various habitats on all ranges of Kazakhstan part of Western Tian-Shan T. kaufmanniana
Anthers not becoming strongly incurved or twisted; filaments yellow with brown apex, narrow, slightly dilated at the base; grows on stony-gravelly slopes of Karzhantau Range T. tschimganica

Subgenus Orithyia (D.Don) Baker, J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 14: 277 (1874).

Lectotype

Tulipa uniflora (L.) Besser ex Baker.

Sect. Orithyia (D. Don) Vved., Brit. Fl. Gard. [Sweet] Ser. 2: 336 (1836).

Type

Tulipa uniflora Besser ex Baker, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 14: 295 (1874).

Identification key for Tulipa sect. Orithyia in Kazakhstan

1 Bulb elongate-ovoid, tunics naked, leaves opposite T. heterophylla
Bulb ovoid, tunics with appressed hairs inside at apex; leaves alternate; anthers 3–6 mm long 2
2 Leaves narrowly linear-lanceolate, usually slightly surpassing the flower with brown margins; tepals obtuse or subobtuse; filaments gradually attenuate from base T. uniflora
Leaves much scattered, linear, glabrous, not surpassing the flower with reddish margins; tepals very acute; filaments dilated below the middle; anthers up to 9 mm long T. heteropetala

Sect. Sylvestres in Gard. Chron. 20: 233 (1883).

Type

Tulipa sylvestris Pall., Sp. Pl.: 305 (1753).

Identification key for Tulipa sect. Sylvestres in Kazakhstan

1 Tepals yellow, the outer often violet tinged on the outside 2
Tepals white, yellow at base, the outer greenish-gray on the outside, becoming darker toward the base T. patens
2 Bulb tunics ca. 2–2.5 cm; ovary slightly shorter than stamens; forest lawns and meadows in river valleys T. biebersteiniana
Bulb tunics up to 4.5 cm; ovary equal to or longer than stamens; dry steppe or semi-desert plains T. turgaica

Sect. Biflores A.D.Hall ex Veldkamp & Zonn., Pl. Syst. Evol. 298: 89 (2012).

Type

Tulipa biflora Pall., Reise Russ. Reich. 3: 727 (1776).

Identification key for Tulipa sect. Biflores in Kazakhstan

1 Filaments glabrous T. sogdiana
Filaments with a ring of hairs at the base or scattered hairs along their length 2
2 Leaf solitary, with raised undulating ridges along its length T. regelii
Leaves 2 to several, never with undulating ridges along its length 3
3 Bulb tunics glabrous; leaves 3–7, very close together; flowers 1–8 T. tarda
Bulb tunics always hairy to varying degrees, sometimes with few appressed hairs at apex (T. dasystemon); leaves commonly 2 or sometimes 3, scattered, spreading 4
4 Bulb tunics papery or nearly so 5
Bulb tunics coriaceous or sub-coriaceous 9
5 Flowers commonly yellow; bulb tunics blackish-brown T. auliekolica
Flowers commonly white, creamy white with a yellow (whitish yellow) blotch; bulb tunics brown or grayish-brown 6
6 Stem 30–50 mm long, covered with short hairs; bulb tunics reddish-brown with woolly hairs at the top; capsule with a small dome on the top; at an altitude of 1800 m T. dianaeverettiae
Stem up to 20–25 cm long, glabrous; bulb tunics light to dull brown, inside glabrous or covered with woolly hairs more densely at the top; capsule without dome on the top; below an altitude of 1800 m 7
7 Stamens slightly longer than ovary; anthers 2–3 mm long T. biflora
Stamens shorter or equal to ovary; anthers 5–7 mm long 8
8 Bulbs globose or pear-shaped, inside glabrous, at the neck with some hairs; flowers solitary; stamens longer than the ovary; low bushes in Taskora and adjacent Kolasu Valleys of Dzjungarian Ala-Tau T. kolbintsevii
Bulbs ovoid, inside in upper third thinly covered with thin, more or less parallel hairs, becoming more densely hairy apically; flowers 2(3); stamens shorter or equal to ovary; stabilized fixed and hilly-ridged sands over brown and gray-brown soils, in depressions of takyrs and solonchaks with sparse semi-desert/desert vegetation in Zhetysu region, extreme southern part of Dzungarian Alatau T. salsola
9 Leaves almost opposite, very close together; style very short or practically absent; flower buds and flowers upturned; endemic of Karatau Ridge T. orthopoda
Leaves mostly distant or more or less approximate; style short or with a rather long style; buds and flowers are not inverted; plants are more widespread in the desert and mountainous parts of Kazakhstan 10
10 Upper part of stem and peduncle pubescent; flower whitish with yellow blotch; style short; plants of plains, foothills and mid-mountains, up to 2400–2500 m 11
Upper part of stem and peduncle glabrous; flower pale yellow or whitish; style long; plants of high mountains, above 2400–2500 m 14
11 Leaves very scattered, usually shorter than flower; sandy and clay soils in predominantly arid plains T. buhseana
Leaves more or less distant, commonly longer than the flower; foothills and mid-mountains of West Tian Shan 12
12 Bulb tunic brown-gray or reddish-brown, covered with woolly hairs 13
Bulb tunic dark brown, at the upper part densely covered with more appressed long silky hairs T. turkestanica
13 Bulb tunic reddish-brown or pink, densely covered with woolly hairs on the inside, most of which are at the top and base filaments narrow triangular with hairs above the hairy rim T. bifloriformis
Bulb tunic brown-gray, covered with felt-like short woolly hairs concentrated at the top; leaves narrower; filaments narrow triangular, glabrous above the hairy rim T. kujukense
14 Bulb tunic usually light-brown or brown, papery, glabrous or covered with few straight, adpressed, white hairs at tip; anthers oblong; ovary scarcely shorter than stamens T. dasystemon
Bulb tunic black to tawny, thin coriaceous, densely lined with woolly hairs at tip; anthers linear-oblong; ovary about the length of stamens T. dasystemonoides

Taxonomic status of Tulipa in Kazakhstan

Detailed taxonomic notes are provided for each species with phenology, conservation status, distribution, and type information. In addition, capsule characteristics are important for identifying Tulipa species, according to Botschantzeva (1962). Therefore, the capsules of 34 Tulipa species are illustrated based on our own and other sources (Fig. 5). According to Fig. 5, the capsule shape relatively differs among the studied species; however, further morphological studies on capsules of Tulipa species are needed.

Figure 5. 

Capsules of Tulipa species in Kazakhstan A T. alberti B T. altaica C T. annae D T. auliekolica E T. biflora F T. bifloriformis G T. borszczowii H T. brachystemon I T. buhseana J T. dasystemon K T. dubia L T. greigii M T. heteropetala N T. heterophylla O T. ivasczenkoae P T. kaufmanniana Q T. kolbintsevii R T. korolkowii S T. kolpakowskiana T T. lehmanniana U T. lemmersii V T. orthopoda W T. ostrowskiana X T. patens Y T. regelii Z T. salsola ZA T. sogdiana ZB T. biebersteiniana ZC T. tarda ZD T. tetraphylla ZE T. turgaica ZF T. turkestanica ZG T. uniflora ZH T. zenaidae.

Tulipa alberti Regel, Gartenflora 26: 257, t 912 (1877).

Fig. 6

Type

Kazakhstan • Illustration t. 912 in Gartenflora 26 (1877) [lectotype designated by Christenhusz et al. 2013: 303].

General distribution

Endemic to Kazakhstan (Kubentayev et al. 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Balkhash-Alakol, Betpak-Dala, Chu-Ili Range, Dzungarian Alatau, Eastern Upland, Karatau, Moinkym, Trans-Ili Kungey Alatau, and Western Upland. Grows on dry rubbly and stony slopes of low mountains.

Conservation status

Tulipa alberti is assessed near threatened at the global level (IUCN 2024) and is included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan (Category II).

Phenology

Flowering in April–May; fruiting in May–June.

Notes

Eduard Regel described T. alberti in 1877, based on materials collected by his son Albert Regel, who worked as a doctor in Kulja, from the Karatau Mountains in 1876 (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019). The locus classicus of this species in the Chirchik River Valley was incorrectly stated when describing T. alberti (Vvedensky and Kovalevskaya 1971). More recently, Sutula et al. (2024) reported the hybridization of T. alberti and T. patens and the possible existence of a new undescribed species of hybridogenic origin. However, given that these species are morphologically different and belong to different subgenera, we believe that hybridization between these taxa is highly unlikely. Moreover, the distribution ranges of the species do not overlap, excluding the possibility of spontaneous hybridization in nature. Meanwhile, spontaneous hybrids of T. alberti and T. greigii exist in the wild (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019; Vvedensky and Kovalevskaya 1971). Recently, Yermagambetova et al. (2024) studied the genetic diversity and gene flow of T. alberti in Kazakhstan. In this work, the more isolated populations were determined to be genetically distinct with low genetic diversity (Yermagambetova et al. 2024).

Figure 6. 

Tulipa alberti in Kazakhstan A, B general habits C flower D tepals E gynoecium F stamens G bulb sheath. (Photos: A–G by S. Kubentayev).

Tulipa altaica Pall. ex Spreng., Syst. Veg., ed. 16 [Sprengel] 2: 63 (1825).

Fig. 7

Type

• ‘Mons Imaus’ Pallas (not located). Neotype: Ledebour, Ic. Pl. Ross. 2: t. 134 (1830) [designated by Christenhusz et al. 2013: 304].

General distribution

China (Xinjiang), Kazakhstan and Russia (Altai, west Siberia) (POWO 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Altai, Betpak-Dala, Eastern Upland, Tarbagatai, Western Upland, and Zaysan. This species grows on stony slopes of low mountains and steppe areas at the foot of mountains, as well as among shrubs on rubbly slopes.

Figure 7. 

Tulipa altaica in Kazakhstan A general habits B general appearance C, D flowers E tepals F gynoecium G stamens H bulb I bulb sheath. (Photos: A–I by S. Kubentayev).

Conservation status

Tulipa altaica is assessed as least concern at the global level (IUCN 2024).

Phenology

Flowering in April–May; fruiting in May–June.

Notes

This species was first collected by P.S. Pallas in Altai (Mount Imaus) in the late 18th century. However, it was first described in 1825 by the German botanist Kurt Sprengel (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019). In the past, this species was recorded only in the Bektauata Mountain, Eastern Upland of Kazakhstan (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019; Kupriyanov 2020). In this study, however, a new location was found in the Kokshetau Mountains (Karamysheva s.n. LE), Western Upland of Kazakhstan, which significantly extended its distribution range.

Tulipa annae J.de Groot & Zonn., Int. Rock Gard. 122: 10 (2020).

Fig. 8

Type

Kazakhstan • Marble Pass, Altai region, north-eastern Kazakhstan, 2008, JJ de Groot (holotype L 3986814).

General distribution

China (Xinjiang) and Kazakhstan (de Groot and Zonneveld 2020).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Altai and Dzungarian Alatau. This species grows on cliffs, rocky and rubbly slopes, and mountainous plumes.

Figure 8. 

Tulipa annae in Kazakhstan A general habits B flowers. (Photos: A, B by J.J. de Groot).

Conservation status

The IUCN conservation status of this species requires assessment.

Phenology

Flowering in March–April; fruiting in May–June.

Notes

Tulipa annae was described in 2020 from plants grown in a cultural collection in the Netherlands and bulbs collected at the Marble Pass in eastern Kazakhstan. This species is morphologically similar to T. altaica but differs by the presence of short hairs on the leaves, a smaller overall habit, the ovary shorter than the stamens and a tunic on the bulb elongated into a long spout. Tulipa annae is named after Anna Ivaschenko, a well-known botanist living and working in Almaty, Kazakhstan (de Groot and Zonneveld 2020). Based on the results of our research, this species was listed for the first time in the Dzungarian Alatau (Taskora Gorge) based on the photographic observations by Kolbintsev (2016). Due to the relative paucity of information on T. annae in the literature, further studies are needed regarding its distribution, abundance, and conservation status.

Tulipa auliekolica Perezhogin, Novosti Sist. Vyssh. Rast. 45: 145 (2014).

Fig. 9

Type

Kazakhstan • Prov. Kostanay, Auliekol distr., 25 April 2009, Yu. Perezhogin s.n. (LE).

General distribution

Endemic to Kazakhstan (Kubentayev et al. 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Tobol-Ishim and Turgay. This species grows in cereal steppes on plains.

Figure 9. 

Tulipa auliekolica in Kazakhstan A, B general habits C flower D tepals E gynoecium F stamens G bulb and bulb sheath. (Photos: A–G by S. Kubentayev).

Conservation status

The IUCN conservation status of this species requires assessment.

Phenology

Flowering in April; fruiting expected from May to June.

Notes

Tulipa auliekolica was first described in 2013 by Yu. V. Perezhogin from Kostanay region, Northern Kazakhstan. Morphologically, this species is similar to T. biflora but differs in its darker blackish-brown bulb tunics and yellow flower petals (Perezhogin 2013). The independence of this species raises doubts, as the known morphological characteristics are insufficient to assign the species rank. Additionally, T. biflora and T. auliekolica were placed in the same clade on the phylogenetic tree constructed using data from GenBank (Fig. 3). Accordingly, we consider it necessary to conduct phylogenetic and morphological studies to establish the taxonomic position of T. auliekolica in Tulipa genus. New localities of this species were established in Northern Kazakhstan during this study, according to herbarium collections of Yu. V. Perezhogin in the herbarium of the KSPI. Previously, the distribution of this species was only reported for two localities, including the type locality (15 km from the Karamendy turnoff) (Perezhogin 2013) and FR Turgay, north of the Akkuma sands (Perezhogin et al. 2015).

Tulipa biebersteiniana Schult.f., Syst. Veg., ed. 15 bis [Roemer & Schultes] 7: 382 (1829).

Fig. 10

Type

Russia • ‘In hortis et vineis ad fluvium Terek inter Mosdok et Kisljar’, April, Bieberstein (not found).

General distribution

Kazakhstan, Krym, North Caucasus, and Transcaucasus (Kutlunina et al. 2013).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Aktobe, Mugojary, Aral region, Western Upland, Ulytau, Syrt, Tobol-Ishim, Bukeev, Turgay, and Caspian region.

Conservation status

The IUCN conservation status of this species requires assessment. It is included in the red book of Kazakhstan (CategoryIII).

Phenology

Flowering in March–April; fruiting in May–June.

Notes

Tulipa biebersteiniana was described in 1829 by J.H. Schultes from specimens from the North Caucasus (between Mozdok and Kizlyar). The species was named in honor of Russian botanist F. K. Biberstein-Marshall (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019). Some taxonomists classified T. biebersteiniana and T. patens as synonyms of the widespread European T. sylvestris subsp. australis (Christenhusz et al. 2013; Everett et al. 2013). However, according to Zonneveld (2009), the difference in genome size between T. biebersteiniana (56.7 pg) and T. sylvestris (62.3 pg) may differentiate T. biebersteiniana. In 2013, Perezhogin (2013) described a new species, T. turgaica Perezhogin, similar to T. biebersteiniana and grows in arid conditions. It was suggested that T. biebersteiniana, should form its own subgenus based on hierarchical cluster analysis of genetic profiles of taxa conducted on Iranian tulips using AFLPs (Asgari et al. 2020). However, this hypothesis requires further investigation. Wilson (2023) included T. biebersteiniana on the list of tulips, which may require reinstatement if evidence confirms their uniqueness.

Figure 10. 

Tulipa biebersteiniana in Kazakhstan A general habits B, C flowers D ovary and stamen E bulb (Photos: A–E by S. Kubentayev).

Tulipa biflora Pall., Reise Russ. Reich. 3: 727 (1776).

Fig. 11

Type

Russia • Described from southern Russia, Pallas (lectotype BW000528948) [lectotype designated by Eker et al. 2014].

General distribution

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan (Northern Ustyurt), China (northern part), the south of Russia, Transcaucasia, and Crimea (Tojibaev et al. 2022).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Aktobe, Aral region, Betpak-Dala, Bukeev, Caspian region, Eastern Upland, Karkaraly, Mugojary, Northern Ustyrt, Turgay, Western Upland, and Zaysan. It grows on solonetz, clay steppe, and desert areas and less often on the stony and rubbly slopes of hills.

Figure 11. 

Tulipa biflora in Kazakhstan A, B general habits C, D flower E tepals F gynoecium G stamens H bulb and bulb sheath. (Photos: A–H by S. Kubentayev).

Conservation status

The IUCN conservation status of this species requires assessment. It is included in the red book of Kazakhstan (Category I).

Phenology

Flowering in April–May; fruiting in May–June.

Notes

The species was described in 1776 by P. S. Pallas from specimens collected from the Caspian deserts. The location of the type specimens is unknown (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019). According to the latest system of Tulipa (Christenhusz et al. 2013), many species from the section Biflores A.D.Hall ex Veldkamp & Zonn., including T. buhseana and T. sogdiana, are considered synonyms of the T. biflora s.l. complex. However, we propose that T. buhseana and T. sogdiana should be considered independent taxa based on their complex morphological characteristics, ecology, and distribution range. In addition, these taxa were arranged in a separate clade from T. biflora in the phylogenetic tree (Fig. 3). The southern boundaries of the T. biflora range in Kazakhstan from west to east pass through the Northern Ustyurt, Aral region, Sarysu region sands, and the northern Balkhash region. Perezhogin (2013) considered the reports of T. biflora from Tobol-Ishim and Turgay erroneous. In his opinion, T. biflora was replaced with T. auliekolica. Given that it is impossible to distinguish T. biflora from T. auliekolica based on herbarium material, it is impossible to confirm or deny this statement.

Tulipa bifloriformis Vved., Opred. Rast. Sred. Azii 2: 320 (1971).

Fig. 12

Type

Uzbekistan • Tian-Schan occidentalis, in collibus argillosis circa urb. Taschkent, 19 March 1923, M.G. Popov & A.I. Vvedensky 1036 (holotype TASH000502!; isotypes BM, H1200916, K).

General distribution

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan (Tojibaev et al. 2022).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Karatau, Kyrgyz Alatau, Kyzylorda, Moiynkum, Turkestan, and Western Tian Shan. This species grows on the clay, stony, and rubbly slopes of hills, steppes and semi-desert foothill plains.

Conservation status

Tulipa bifloriformis is assessed as least concern at the global level (IUCN 2024).

Phenology

Flowering in March–April; fruiting in May–June.

Notes

Tulipa bifloriformis was described by Vvedensky in 1935 from herbarium material collected near Tashkent in 1923. Later, a complete diagnosis of this species was published in ‘Conspectus Florae Asiae Mediae’ (Vvedensky and Kovalevskaya 1971). This species is morphologically similar to T. biflora, differing in its leathery bulb sheaths and drooping buds before flowering. Externally, T. bifloriformis is similar to T. buhseana but differs in its tomentose bulb sheaths on the inner side (Vvedensky and Kovalevskaya 1971). This species often inhabits open slopes after landslides and forms dense carpets that spread vegetatively (Tojibaev et al. 2022).

Figure 12. 

Tulipa bifloriformis in Kazakhstan. A habitat B habit. (Photos: A, B by K.Tojibaev).

Tulipa borszczowii Regel, Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 41: 438 (1868).

Fig. 13

Type

Kazakhstan • Steppe Kara-Kum am Aralsee, Borszczow 677 (holotype LE!; photograph K).

General distribution

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan (POWO 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Aral region, Betpak-Dala, Kyzylkum, Kyzylorda, Moiynkum, and Turkestan. This species grows in sandy and clay-sandy deserts.

Conservation status

Tulipa borszczowii is a near threatened species at the global level (IUCN 2024). It is included in the red book of Kazakhstan (Category II).

Phenology

Flowering in April–May; fruiting in May–June.

Notes

Tulipa borszczowii was described by E.L. Regel in 1868 from the collections of Russian botanist I.G. Borshchow from Aral Karakum. The species is morphologically similar to T. lehmanniana, differing in its flower stalk that does not droop in buds, leaves exceeding or reaching the flower, and a shorter above-ground stem part that is 1.5–2 times shorter than the underground part (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019). This species was considered endemic to Kazakhstan until 2002, when it was found in Uzbekistan (from the western part of the Hungry Steppe) (TASH), and elsewhere in the Uzbek part of Kyzylkum (Abduraimov et al. 2020). The southernmost limit of its total range is in Uzbekistan, the northernmost limit is in the northern Aral region, and the range reaches the Transkaratau foothill plain in the east (Kyzylkol and Akkol lakes).

Figure 13. 

Tulipa borszczowii in Kazakhstan A general habits with different color forms B flowers. (Photos: A, B by S. Kubentayev).

Tulipa brachystemon Regel, Gartenflora 323 (1882).

Fig. 14

Type

• Illustration t. 1099, f. 2 in Gartenflora 31 (1882) [lectotype designated by Christenhusz et al. 2013: 325].

General distribution

Endemic to Kazakhstan (Kubentayev et al. 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Dzungarian Alatau. It grows on stony, rubbly slopes of the lower and middle belt of mountains in Dzungarian Alatau (up to 1700 m a.s.l.).

Conservation status

Tulipa brachystemon is a least concern species at the global level (IUCN 2024). It is included in the red book of Kazakhstan (Category II).

Phenology

Flowering in April–May; fruiting in May–June.

Notes

Tulipa brachystemon was described by E.L. Regel in 1882, without the precise location of the type specimens. The LE herbarium contains collections of A. E. Regel from Schengeldy (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019). Tulipa brachystemon is listed as a synonym of T. tetraphylla in POWO (2024) and according to Christenhusz et al. (2013) and Everett et al. (2013). However, Zonneveld (2009) distinguished T. brachystemon as an independent taxon based on DNA barcoding. In addition, T. brachystemon and T. tetraphylla clustered in different clades based on our phylogenetic tree (Fig. 3). Thus, we consider it necessary to conduct further morphology and phylogeny studies to resolve the taxonomies of these two species.

Figure 14. 

Tulipa brachystemon in Kazakhstan A general habits B flowers. (Photos: A, B by V. Epiktetov)

Tulipa buhseana Boiss., Diagn. Pl. Orient. ser. 2, 4: 98 (1859).

Fig. 15

Type

Iran • ‘Prope Yezd Persiae’, Buhse (holotype G).

General distribution

Afghanistan, China, Kazakhstan, Iran, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan (Tojibaev et al. 2022).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Aral region, Balkhash-Alakol, Betpak-Dala, Chu-Ili range, Karatau, Kyzylorda, Moiynkum, Trans-Ili Kungey Alatau, Turgay, Turkestan, and Western Tian Shan. This species grows on sandy and clay deserts, and semi-deserts also occur on the rubbly slopes of lowlands.

Conservation status

The IUCN conservation status of this species requires assessment.

Phenology

Flowering in March–April; fruiting in May–June.

Notes

Tulipa buhseana was described by P.E. Boissier in 1859 based on the collections of V.A. Buhse from Iran. Collections of T. buhseana from the northern Balkhash region had filaments with sparse pubescence, while the collections from the vicinity of the Shieli town, Kyzylorda region had glabrous filaments. According to Christenhusz et al. (2013), Zonneveld (2009), Everett et al. (2013) and POWO (2024), T. buhseana is considered a synonym of T. biflora. However, these species are morphologically distinguished by the lowering of bulb sheaths on the inner. Additionally, the bulb sheaths of T. buhseana are densely hairy on the inner side, whereas those of T. biflora are tomentose. In the phylogenetic tree, T. buhseana and T. biflora were placed in different clades (Fig. 3). Therefore, additional studies are required to determine the taxonomic position of T. buhseana.

Figure 15. 

Tulipa buhseana in Kazakhstan A, B general habits C, D flower E tepals F gynoecium G stamens H bulb and bulb sheath. (Photos: A–H by S. Kubentayev).

Tulipa dasystemon (Regel) Regel, Trudy Imp. S. Peterburgsk. Bot. Sada 6: 507 (1879).

Fig. 16

Type

Kazakhstan • ‘In montibus prope Wernoje ad fluvium Almatinka’, A. Regel (holotype LE; isotype PRC454341).

General distribution

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and China (Xinjiang) (POWO 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Ketmen Terskey Alatau, Kyrgyz Alatau, Trans-Ili Kungey Alatau. This species grows on steppe and meadow slopes, as well as on forest glades from the middle to the alpine belt (1900–3000 m a.s.l.).

Conservation status

Tulipa dasystemon is a least concern species at global level (IUCN 2024).

Phenology

Flowering in April–June; fruiting in May–August.

Note

Tulipa dasystemon was described by E.L. Regel in 1879 from the Almaty vicinity (in the valley of the Almatinka River) (Regel 1879). Originally described as Orithyia dasystemon Regel, this species was later classified as Tulipa due to its long, narrow stems. In addition to the present T. dasystemon, A.I. Vvedensky (1935) wrote about a close species in Fergana Valley, which occurs at a lower rate and is characterized by strong and leathery bulb sheaths, potentially representing an undescribed species or demonstrating the ecological variability of T. dasystemon.

Figure 16. 

Tulipa dasystemon in Kazakhstan A general habits B flowers. (Photos: A, B by V. Epiktetov).

Tulipa dasystemonoides Vved., Byull. Sredne-Aziatsk. Gosud. Univ. 21: 147 (1935).

Fig. 17

Type

Kazakhstan • ‘Altai Talac’, 11 June 1909, Minkwitz 1365 (holotype LE!).

General distribution

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan (POWO 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Kyrgyz Alatau, and Western Tian Shan. This species grows in meadows in the alpine belt of mountains and is sometimes found at the lower limit of the sub-alpine belt.

Conservation status

The IUCN conservation status of this species requires assessment.

Phenology

Flowering in May–June; fruiting in June–August.

Notes

Tulipa dasystemonoides was described by A.I. Vvedensky in 1935, based on herbarium material collected from the valley of the Maidantal River in Talas Alatau. Christenhusz et al. (2013) referred to T. dasystemonoides as being synonymous of T. dasystemon. However, T dasystemonoides is distinguished from T. dasystemon primarily by its dense woolly bulb sheaths and cream-colored flowers (Vvedensky 1935; Everett et al. 2013). In addition, the two species have different genome sizes (57.7 pg for T. dasystemonoides and 51.5 pg for T. dasystemon) (Zonneveld 2009). Therefore, we propose that T. dasystemonoides is an independent species.

Figure 17. 

Tulipa dasystemonoides in Kazakhstan A general habits. (Photos: A, B by V. Kolbintsev).

Tulipa dianaeverettiae J.de Groot & Zonn., Int. Rock Gard. 122: 7 (2020).

Fig. 18

Type

Kazakhstan • Altai. Altai Pass, approximately 1800 m altitude, cult. J.J. de Groot (L 3986813).

General distribution

Endemic to Kazakhstan (Kubentayev et al. 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

This species grows in open sunny places in dry sandy soil mixed with stones in the Altai.

Conservation status

Tulipa dianaeverettiae is a critically endangered species globally (IUCN 2024).

Phenology

Flowering in April– May; fruiting in May–June.

Notes

Tulipa dianaeverettiae was described in 2020 by de Groot and Zonneveld (2020) from cultivated plants grown in the Netherlands from seeds collected by W. Lemmers in Kazakhstan (Alatai Pass Kurchumskiy Ridge) in 2001. Tulipa dianaeverettiae is distinguishable from other closely related species (T. biflora, T. kolbintsevii and T. patens) by the presence of short hairs on the stem, particularly on the leaf margin, and by a distinct capsule with a small dome at the apex. The authors reported that this is the only species of the sect. Biflores growing at an altitude of 1800 m a.s.l. in the Altai Mountains. The flowers of T. dianaeverettiae have a sweet odor (de Groot and Zonneveld 2020). Currently, little information is available on the distribution and population status of this species.

Figure 18. 

Tulipa dianae-verettiae in Kazakhstan. (Photo by J.J. de Groot).

Tulipa dubia Vved., Byull. Sredne-Aziatsk. Gosud. Univ. 21: 148 (1935).

Fig. 19

Type

Tashkent district • Chotan river gorge, slope near the confluence of Kashka-su brook into Chotan, 10 June 1909, Z. von Minkwitz (holotype LE00053022!).

General distribution

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan (POWO 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Western Tian Shan. This species grows on fine-grained and rubbly-small-grained slopes in the upper belt of the mountains.

Conservation status

Tulipa dubia is an assessed near threatened species at the global level (IUCN 2024).

Phenology

Flowering in April–June; fruiting in May–August (depending on the elevation).

Notes

Tulipa dubia was described by A.I. Vvedensky in 1935 from herbarium material collected by Z. Minkwitz in 1909 from the Tashkent district, Chotan River gorge. Typically, T. dubia populations occur in higher altitudinal zones than T. kaufmanniana and T. tschimganica. However, all three species grow at similar elevations but occupy different habitats in the Aksay Valley (Greater Chimgan). The main characteristic distinguishing T. dubia from the other species of Tulipa sect. Spiranthera is the shape of the stamen filaments and anthers (Tojibaev et al. 2022). This species forms spontaneous hybrids with T. kaufmanniana in common habitats (Vvedensky 1935). The main range of this species is Uzbekistan with a few populations in Western Tian Shan. In addition, high genetic variability has been reported in T. greigii in Kazakhstan (Yermagambetova et al. 2024).

Figure 19. 

Tulipa dubia in Uzbekistan A general habits B flowers (Photos: A–B by K. Tojibaev).

Tulipa greigii Regel, Gartenflora 290: 773 (1873)

Fig. 20

Type

• Illustration t. 773 in Gartenflora 22 (1873) [lectotype designated by Christenhusz et al. 2013: 312].

General distribution

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan (Tojibaev et al. 2022).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Chu-Ili Range, Karatau, Kyrgyz Alatau, Moiynkum, Trans-Ili Kungey Alatau, Turkestan, and Western Tian Shan. This species grows on clay and rubbly slopes up to 2400 m a.s.l., as well as on foothill plains and mountain flutes.

Conservation status

Tulipa greigii is a least concern species at the global level (IUCN 2024). It is included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan (Category III).

Phenology

Flowering in April–June; fruiting in June–July.

Notes

Tulipa greigii was described by E.L. Regel in 1873 from the Karatau Mountains, based on herbarium collections of A. Sivertsev and B. Fedtschenko, initially as a variety of T. altaica var. karatavica Regel. In the same year, it was described by the same author as an independent species (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019; Tojibaev et al. 2022). The species is named in honor of S.A. Greig, president of the Russian Botanical Society of Gardeners. It contains unusual speckles on its leaves that serve as the progenitors of hundreds of tulip varieties. This species often hybridizes with T. kaufmanniana and T. alberti in nature (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019). Vvedensky (1935) noted that the collection of this species from Syrdarya deserves a separate study as it differs from the northern (typical) T. greigii in that it has longer pedicels and gradually decreasing leaves at the top. In our opinion, this population represents the ecological variability in this species.

Figure 20. 

Tulipa greigii in Kazakhstan A, B general habits with different morphological form C flowers with different color. (Photos: A by V. Epiktetov, B, C by S. Kubentayev).

Tulipa heteropetala Ledeb., Icon. Pl. [Ledebour] 1: 21, t. 85 (1829).

Fig. 21

Type

Kazakhstan • ‘Bukhtarminsk et Mont Kurtschum’, Ledebour (holotype LE).

General distribution

China (Xinjiang), Kazakhstan, and Russia (Altai) (POWO 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Altai, Tarbagatai, and Zaysan. This species grows on steppes and semi-deserts on stony and rubbly slopes.

Conservation status

Tulipa heteropetala is a least concern species at the global level (IUCN 2024). It is included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan (Category II).

Phenology

Flowering in April–May; fruiting in June–July.

Notes

Tulipa heteropetala was described by C.F. Ledebour in 1829 using herbarium material from the vicinity of Bukhtarma (East Kazakhstan). This species is morphologically similar to T. uniflora but different by its strong spreading, deviated leaves, very sharp tepals, and expanded stamen filaments below the middle (Vvedensky 1935). Some authors (Mordak 1990, 1992; Cherepanov 1995) consider T. heteropetala a synonym of T. uniflora. However, most authors consider it an independent species (Vvedensky 1935; Abdulina 1999; Zonneveld 2009; Christenhusz et al. 2013; Everett et al. 2013; Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019). According to recent morphological analyses of Tulipa species of the subgenus Orithyia, T. heteropetala does not grow in South Siberia, and the previously reported tulips in this region, under the name T. heteropetala are large individuals of T. uniflora (Chernysheva et al. 2023).

Figure 21. 

Tulipa heteropetala in Kazakhstan A general habits B flowers. (Photos: A, B by G. Bolbotov and V. Kolbintsev).

Tulipa heterophylla Baker, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 14: 295 (1874).

Fig. 22

Type

China • ‘Tianshan: Trens Ui Ala-Tau’, Semenow (holotype LE).

General distribution

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and China (Xinjiang) (POWO 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Trans-Ili Kungey Alatau, Ketmen Terskey Alatau. This species grows on gravelly slopes, forest clearings, and subalpine meadows.

Conservation status

Tulipa heterophylla is a least concern species at the global level (IUCN 2024). It is included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan (Category II).

Phenology

Flowering in April– July; fruiting in June–August (depending on the elevation).

Notes

Tulipa heterophylla was initially described by E.L. Regel in 1868 from Zailiyskiy Alatau as Orithyia heterophylla Regel. In 1874, Baker assigned this species to the genus Tulipa. Notably, M.G. Popov allocated T. heterophylla to a new genus, Eduardoregelia Popov, in 1936 due to its unusual flower appearance (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019). This species is distinguished from other species of the subgenus Orithyia by the fact that its flower stalks are curved at the top of the stem resulting in flowers in a more or less horizontal position (Zonneveld 2009; Everett et al. 2013). More recently, T. heterophylla was found to have a lower level of intrachromosomal asymmetry than other species of the subgenus Orithyia (Chernysheva et al. 2023). The main range of this species does not extend beyond the Tian Shan.

Figure 22. 

Tulipa heterophylla in Kazakhstan A general habits B flowers. (Photos: A, B by V. Epiktetov).

Tulipa iliensis Regel, Gartenflora 28: 162 (1879).

Fig. 23

Type

Kyrgyzstan. ‘Sarybulak’, 23 Apr 1878, A. Regel (lectotype P-00730916; isolectotype BM) [lectotype designated by Christenhusz et al. 2013: 315].

General distribution

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and China (NW-Xinjiang) (POWO 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Ketmen, and Terskey Alatau. This species grows on steppe slopes and among shrubs in the altitude range of 1300–1500 m a.s.l.

Conservation status

Tulipa iliensis is near threatened species at the global level (IUCN 2024).

Phenology

Flowering in April–May; fruiting in June–July.

Notes

Tulipa iliensis was described by E.L. Regel in 1879 based on collections by A. Regel from the upper reaches of the Ile River. This species is morphologically similar to T. altaica, differing by the appressed hair-like pubescence at the apex and base of the bulb sheaths and linear (linear-lanceolate) leaves with a flat margin (Vvedensky 1935). Van Raamsdonk and De Vries (1995) listed T. iliensis and T. kolpakowskiana as synonyms of T. altaica. However, this species is recognized as independent according to the latest classifications of the genus Tulipa (Zonneveld 2009; Christenhusz et al. 2013; Everett et al. 2013). Tulipa iliensis, T. kolpakowskiana, T. altaica, and T. thianschanica are closely related species, as confirmed by molecular genetic data (Christenhusz et al. 2013; Li et al. 2021). The main range of T. iliensis is in China (Xinjiang) (Qin et al. 2024). In Kazakhstan, only a few localities of this species are known on the Ketmen Terskey Alatau.

Figure 23. 

Tulipa iliensis in Kazakhstan A general habits B stem with short pubescences and leaves with flat edge. (Photos: A, B by V. Epiktetov).

Tulipa ivasczenkoae Epiktetov & Belyalov, Turczaninowia 16: 5 (2013).

Fig. 24

Type

Kazakhstan • SW part of Dzhungarian Alatau, mts. Chulak; Aiyrkezen, upper third of stony northern slope (1100 m. a. s. l.), between bushes, 26 April 2013, V.G. Epiktetov & O.V. Belyalov (ALTB, iso – LE).

General distribution

Endemic to Kazakhstan (Kubentayev et al. 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Dzungarian Alatau. This species grows on dry stony slopes among shrubs in low-desert mountains (1100 m a.s.l.).

Conservation status

Tulipa ivasczenkoae is a critically endangered species at the global level (IUCN 2024).

Phenology

Flowering in April–May; fruiting in June.

Notes

Tulipa ivasczenkoae was described in 2013 from the south-western part of the Dzungarian Alatau, Chulak Mountain, Ayyrkezen. The species was named in honor of the Kazakhstani scientist Anna Andreyevna Ivasczenko, who has been studying wild bulbous plants of Kazakhstan, including tulips, since 1963. This species is closely related to the Pamir-Alai endemic T. fosteriana Irw. and T. carinata Vved. It is distinguished from the former by keeled leaves and from the latter by blunt or short pointed rather than long-pointed perianth leaflets and larger broad leaves (Epiktetov and Belyalov 2013). This species has not been encountered in other areas since its description; thus far, it is known only from its type locality.

Figure 24. 

Tulipa ivasczenkoae in Kazakhstan A general habits B flowers. (Photos: A, B by V. Epiktetov).

Tulipa jansii J.J.de Groot & Zonn., Int. Rock Gard. 168: 1 (2024).

Fig. 25

Type

• Wild collected material from the Ily Valley north of Kapchagay. J.J. de Groot and B.J.M. Zonneveld (holotype L4513065).

General distribution

Endemic to Kazakhstan (de Groot and Zonneveld 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Balkhash-Alakol and Dzungarian Alatau. This species grows on dry, stony slopes at the foot of mountains.

Conservation status

The IUCN conservation status of this species requires assessment.

Phenology

Flowering in April–May; fruiting in June.

Notes

T. jansii was recently described from the Ili River valley north of Kapchagai (de Groot and Zonneveld 2024). This species was named after Harry Jans, a famous world traveler. The main difference between T. jansii and other representatives of T. sect. Kolpakowskianae is the pear-shaped bulb with stolons, non-elongated tunic without fibers, narrower lanceolate leaves and narrow, almost straight filaments (de Groot and Zonneveld 2024).

Figure 25. 

Tulipa jansii in Kazakhstan, general habits. (Photos by J.J. de Groot).

Tulipa kaufmanniana Regel, Gartenflora 26: 194 (1877).

Fig. 26

Type

Uzbekistan • ‘In Turkestaniae montibus fluvium Tschirtschik [Chirchiq] adjacentibus’, A. Regel (LE!).

General distribution

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan (POWO 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Western Tian Shan, Karatau, and Kyrgyz Alatau. This species grows on shaded slopes, meadow areas, and scrub thickets and less often on rocky slopes from the lower to the upper mountain belts.

Conservation status

Tulipa kaufmanniana is a near threatened species at the global level (IUCN 2024). It is included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan (Category III).

Phenology

Flowering in March–May; fruiting in June–July.

Notes

Tulipa kaufmanniana was described by E.L. Regel in 1877 from the Chirchik River basin. The species was named in honor of Kaufmann, Governor-General of the Turkestan region (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019). Tulipa berkariensis Rukšāns, described from the Berkari Gorge by Rukšāns (2019), differs from T. kaufmanniana by the globular bulb shape and the presence of horizontal stolons. Currently, many researchers consider T. berkariensis a synonym of T. kaufmanniana (Christenhusz et al. 2013; Everett et al. 2013; Sennikov and Tojibaev 2021). However, T. berkariensis has a slightly smaller genome size than the authentic T. kaufmanniana from Uzbekistan (Zonneveld 2009). Further research is needed to study T. berkariensis and establish its taxonomic status.

Figure 26. 

Tulipa kaufmanniana in Kazakhstan A, B general habits C flower D tepals E gynoecium F stamens G bulb and bulb sheath. (Photos: A by S. Kubentayev and V. Epiktetov, B–G by S. Kubentayev).

Tulipa kolbintsevii Zonn., Pl. Syst. Evol. 298: 1294 (2012).

Fig. 27

Type

Kazakhstan • Grown in the Netherlands from material collected at Dzjungarian Ala-Tau, Taskora Valley, cult. J.J. de Groot (holotype L 0821329!).

General distribution

Endemic to Kazakhstan (Kubentayev et al. 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Dzungarian Alatau. This species grows among shrubs at an altitude of 650 m a.s.l.

Conservation status

Tulipa kolbintsevii is an endangered species at the global level (IUCN 2024).

Phenology

Flowering in March–June; fruiting in May–June.

Notes

Tulipa kolbintsevii was described from the cultural collection of J.J. de Groot in the Netherlands, collected from Taskora Valley, 650 m from Dzjungarian Ala-Tau, Kazakhstan (Zonneveld and de Groot 2012). The main difference between T. kolbintsevii and other Tulipa species in the section Biflores is that the sepals have a pilose margin at the base rather than a pilose band. This species was named in honor of V. Kolbintsev, who guided the expedition leading to discovery (Zonneveld and de Groot 2012). Tulipa kolbintsevii is diploid, with a 48.0 pg genome size, smaller than that of other species in T. sect. Biflores, ranging from 51.5 to 76.3 pg (Zonneveld 2009). The distribution of this species is poorly studied, and known from only two localities, including “locus classicus”.

Figure 27. 

Tulipa kolbentsevii in Kazakhstan A general habits B flowers. (Photos: A, B by Zh. Nurgozhanova and V. Epiktetov).

Tulipa kolpakowskiana Regel, Trudy Imp. S. Peterburgsk. Bot. Sada 5: 266 (1877).

Fig. 28

Type

Kazakhstan • ‘In Turkestania prope Verniy et in valle fluvii Almatinka’, A. Regel (holotype LE; possible isotype K).

General distribution

Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and China (Xinjiang) (POWO 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Trans-Ili Kungey Alatau, Moiynkum, Chu-Ili range, Dzungarian Alatau, Kyrgyz Alatau, and Ketmen Terskey Alatau. This species grows on clayey, less often gravelly, slopes of steppe and desert foothills.

Figure 28. 

Tulipa kolpakowskiana in Kazakhstan A, B general habits C, D flower E tepals F bulb. (Photos: A–F by S. Kubentayev).

Conservation status

Tulipa kolpakowskiana is a near threatened species at the global level (IUCN 2024). It is included in the red book of Kazakhstan (Category III).

Phenology

Flowering in April–May; fruiting in June–July.

Notes

Tulipa kolpakowskiana was first described by E.L. Regel in 1877 from Verniy vicinity (Almaty). This species was named in honor of G. A. Kolpakowskiy, an honorary member of the Russian Geographical Society (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019). Van Raamsdonk et al. (1997) classified this species as a synonym of T. altaica var altaica. However, after studying wild material, Zonneveld (2009), distinguished it as a separate species of the section Kolpakowskianae (Everett et al. 2013). In nature, this species often hybridizes with T. ostrowskiana, T. tetraphylla, and T. brachystemon (Vvedensky 1935; Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019).

Tulipa korolkowii Regel, Trudy Imp. S. Peterburgsk. Bot. Sada 3: 295 (1875).

Fig. 29

Type

Uzbekistan • ‘Habitat in solo lutoso in desertis inter Turkestaniam et Khiwam prope Farisch’, Korolkow et Krause (holotype LE!).

General distribution

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan (Tojibaev et al. 2022).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Turkestan, and Western Tian Shan. This species grows on dry gravel and stony surfaces, sandy ceilings, slopes, and plains at the outlet (opening), and in the lower belt of the mountain (up to 1800 m a.s.l.).

Figure 29. 

Tulipa korolkowii in Kazakhstan A, B general habits C flower D tepals E gynoecium and stamens F gynoecium G stamens H bulb. (Photos: A–H by S. Kubentayev).

Conservation status

Tulipa korolkowii is a near threatened species at the global level (IUCN 2024). It is included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan (Category II).

Phenology

Flowering in March–April; fruiting in May–June.

Notes

Tulipa korolkowii was first described by E.L. Regel in 1875 from Forish (Uzbekistan). This species was named in honor of amateur botanist N. I. Korolkow, who lived and worked in the Turkestan region from 1868 to 1905 (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019). Vvedensky (1935) distinguished T. korolkowii and two related species, T. rosea Vved. and T. nitida Hoog, as geographically isolated species (Tojibaev et al. 2022). Based on the flow cytometry results, Zonneveld (2009) considered T. korolkowii and T. nitida two different species and T. rosea as T. korolkowii f. rosea (Vvedensky). Christenhusz et al. (2013) considered T. nitida and T. rosea as synonyms of T. korolkowii. Based on long-term studies in natural habitats and observations in ex situ living collections in TASH and Tashkent Botanical Garden, Tojibaev et al. (2022) found that morphological characters between T. korolkowii and T. nitida, vary depending on habitat and climatic conditions. In addition, they did not find any evidence to confirm the presence of T. rosea within the present-day boundaries of Uzbekistan.

Tulipa kujukense J.J. de Groot & Zonn.

Fig. 30

Type

Kazakhstan • Vegetative progeny of wild collected material grown in the collection of J.J. de Groot, collection number G05-8 (holotype L4513067).

General distribution

Endemic to Kazakhstan (de Groot and Zonneveld 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Karatau. This species grows among shrubs.

Conservation status

The IUCN conservation status of this species requires assessment.

Phenology

Flowering in March–April; fruiting in May–June.

Notes

Tulipa kujukense was first described in 2024 from Karatau (Kuyuk Pass). Tulipa kujukense is morphologically similar to T. orthopoda and T. bifloriformis but differs in size and by bulb with gray-brown tunica, characteristic of the Turkestanica species group. In addition, T. kujukense has a large genome size (60.7 pg) compared with other species of T. sect. Biflores (de Groot and Zonneveld 2024).

Figure 30. 

Tulipa kujukense in Kazakhstan, general habits. (Photo by J.J. de Groot).

Tulipa lehmanniana Merckl., A.A.von Bunge, Beitr. Fl. Russl. 7: 337 (1852).

Fig. 31

Type

Uzbekistan • A. Lehmann sn., Bunge Rel. Lehm. 337 (K-000844622) [lectotype designated by Christenhusz et al. 2013: 316].

General distribution

Afghanistan, Eastern Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan (POWO 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Balkhash-Alakol, Betpak-Dala, Chu-Ili range, Kyzylkum, Moiynkum, Turkestan, and Western Tian Shan. This species grows on sand and variegated rock outcrops, in sandy and stony deserts.

Figure 31. 

Tulipa lehmanniana in Kazakhstan A, B general habits C, E flowers with different color variants D tepals of different color variants F gynoecium G stamens H bulb (Photos: A–H by S. Kubentayev).

Conservation status

Tulipa lehmanniana is a near threatened species at the global level (IUCN 2024). It is included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan (Category I).

Phenology

Flowering in April; fruiting in May–June.

Notes

Tulipa lehmanniana was described by Merklin in 1854 from collections made near Bukhara. The species was named in honor of A. Lehmann, a Russian botanist, who collected plants from Central Asia on behalf of the St. Petersburg Botanical Garden (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019). Christenhusz et al. (2013) considered T. zenaidae a synonym of T. lehmanniana, which we strongly disagree with. These species are distinct morphologically, ecologically, and geographically. Eduard Ludvigovich Regel described T. behmiana Regel in 1880 from the vicinity of the Iliysk settlement (Kapchagai). This species was classified as a synonym of T. lehmanniana according to the latter classifications (Van Raamsdonk and De Vries 1995; Zonneveld 2009; Christenhusz et al. 2013; Everett et al. 2013).

Tulipa lemmersii Zonn., Peterse & J.de Groot, Pl. Syst. Evol. 298: 91 (2012).

Fig. 32

Type

Kazakhstan • Chimkent: Mashad Pass, cult. A. Peterse (holotype L 0822655).

General distribution

Endemic to Kazakhstan (Kubentayev et al. 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Western Tian Shan. This species grows on dry stony slopes with outcrops or shallow deposits of conglomerate rocks, on a plateau or canyon sites.

Conservation status

Tulipa lemmersii is a vulnerable species at the global level (IUCN 2024).

Phenology

Flowering in March–April; fruiting in May.

Notes

Tulipa lemmersii was first found in 2007 by A. Peterse, at the top of steep cliffs on Mashat Pass, when he accompanied a tulip expedition organized by W. Lemmers (the species is named in his honor). Tulipa lemmersii can be distinguished from T. iliensis, T. ferganica, T. anisophylla, and T. tetraphylla by its glabrous stems, thin tunic, and single flowers. It can be distinguished from other species of the T. sect. Kolpakowskianae as they have mostly red and yellow flowers. It is a diploid species with the smallest genome size (36 pg) among all species in the section Kolpakowskianae (Zonneveld 2009). The species was later validated using type designation in 2012 (Veldkamp and Zonneveld 2012).

Figure 32. 

Tulipa lemmersii in Kazakhstan A, B general habits C, D flower E tepals F gynoecium G stamens H bulb and bulb sheath. (Photos: A–H by S. Kubentayev).

Tulipa orthopoda Vved., Opred. Rast. Sred. Azii 2: 320 (1971).

Fig. 33

Type

Kazakhstan • Turkestan, 5 April 1930, Lipschitz & Pavlov 32 (holotype TASH!).

General distribution

Endemic to Kazakhstan (Kubentayev et al. 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Karatau, Western Tian Shan. This species grows in clay, gravel and stony slopes of the lowlands.

Conservation status

Tulipa orthopoda is a vulnerable species at the global level (IUCN 2024).

Phenology

Flowering in March–April; fruiting in May–June.

Notes

Tulipa orthopoda is a narrowly localized endemic species to Kazakhstan (Kamelin 1990). This species was first mentioned by Vvedensky (1935) in Flora of the USSR in a note on T. bifloriformis Tulip specimens from Karatau are reportedly characterized by drooping buds, lower height, and more pubescent leaves. A detailed description in Latin was first published in 1971 in the Conspectus Florae Asiae Mediae (Vvedensky and Kovalevskaya 1971). Christenhusz et al. (2013) reported that T. orthopoda is a synonym of T. bifloriformis; however, later indicated that it deserves recognition. According to Zonneveld (2009), the genome size of T. orthopoda is 59.3 pg, while that of T. bifloriformis is 56.6 pg. This difference was sufficient to distinguish between two representatives of the same group (Everett et al. 2013). Wilson (2023) listed T. orthopoda as an independent taxon in his updated list of recognized tulip species. We agree that T. orthopoda should be recognized as an independent taxon based on several morphological characteristics and different flowering times (T. orthopoda flowers earlier than T. bifloriformis).

Figure 33. 

Tulipa orthopoda in Kazakhstan A, B general habits C flower D bulb and bulb sheath. (Photos: A, C by V. Epiktetov; B, D by S. Kubentayev).

Tulipa ostrowskiana Regel, Gartenflora 33: 34 (1884).

Fig. 34

Type

Kazakhstan • ‘Iter Turkestanicum, Kl. Almaty Schlucht bei Werny’, 2 April 1879, A. Regel (K).

General distribution

Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan (POWO 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Kyrgyz Alatau and Trans-Ili Kungey Alatau. This species grows on slopes with deep nutritious soil (less often gravelly), in the lower and middle mountain belts.

Conservation status

Tulipa ostrowskiana is assessed near threatened at the global level (IUCN 2024). It is included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan (Category III).

Phenology

Flowering in April– May; fruiting in June– July.

Notes

Tulipa ostrowskiana was described in 1884 by E.L. Regel from collections near Verny (Almaty). This species was first collected in 1879 by A.E. Regel and A.M. Fetisov (the chief gardener of Pishpek (Bishkek) in charge of the Treasury Garden in Verny) (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019). Zonneveld (2009) suggested that T. ostrowskiana may be an allotetraploid originating from T. kolpakowskiana and T. lemmersii based on genome size. Spontaneous hybrids of T. ostrowskiana and T. kolpakowskiana with intermediate flower coloration and habit traits are known in nature (Vvedensky 1935; Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019).

Figure 34. 

Tulipa ostrowskiana in Kazakhstan A general habits B flowers showing different color morphs. (Photos: A, B by V. Kolbintsev and V. Epiktetov).

Tulipa patens C.Agardh, Syst. Veg., ed. 15 bis [Roemer & Schultes] 7: 384 (1829).

Fig. 35

Type

‘In Sibiria’, Agardh (LD?, not found).

General distribution

Kazakhstan, and Russia.

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Syrt, Tobol-Ishim, Irtysh, Semipalatinsk pine forest, Kokchetav, Mugojary, Turgay, Western Upland, Ulytau, Zaysan, Eastern Upland, Karkaraly, and Altai, Tarbagatai. This species grows in steppe, semi-desert and shrub land on gravelly clayey slopes.

Conservation status

The IUCN conservation status of this species requires assessment. It is included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan (Category III).

Phenology

Flowering in April–May; fruiting June.

Notes

A complete species description of T. patens was published in 1829 by J. Roemer and J. Schultes (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019). Subsequently, C. F. Ledebour described it as T. tricolor Ledeb. The taxonomic position of T. patens is relatively controversial. Some authors (Christenhusz et al. 2013; Everett et al. 2013; Li et al. 2021) place it in synonymy of T. sylvestris subsp. australis, while other authors (Polyakov 1958; Cherepanov 1995; Zonneveld 2009; Kutlunina et al. 2013; Wilson 2023) consider this species an independent taxon. We believe that T. patens deserves recognition based on its complex morphological characteristics and ecology.

Figure 35. 

Tulipa patens in Kazakhstan A, B general habits C flower D tepals E gynoecium F stamens G bulb and bulb sheath. (Photos: A–G by S. Kubentayev).

Tulipa regelii Krasn., Bot. Zap. 2: 21 (1888).

Fig. 36

Type

Kazakhstan • ‘Prope fauces fluminis Kurtu inter saxa non rara in montibus Andrakai rarior’, April 1886, A. Krassnow s.n. (LE).

General distribution

Endemic to Kazakhstan (Kubentayev et al. 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Balkhash-Alakol, and Chu-Ili range. This species grows on rocky, gravelly slopes and scree (800–1100 m a.s.l.).

Conservation status

Tulipa regelii is an endangered species at the global level (IUCN 2024). It is included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan (Category II).

Phenology

Flowering in March–April; fruiting in May–June.

Notes

Tulipa regelii was described in 1887 by the prominent Russian botanical geographer A. N. Krasnov, who surveyed the Shu-Ili Mountains (where the species was collected from the Anyrakai and Kurti tracts). The species is named in honor of E.L. Regel, the director of the botanical garden in St. Petersburg (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019). It is one of the most distinctive tulips due to the leaf blade surface having many parallel ridge-like outgrowths. However, the position of this species in the genus Tulipa remains controversial. Vvedensky (1935) classified T. regelii into a separate section, T. sect. Lophophyllon Vved, due to the unique structure of its leaf blade. Meanwhile, Zonneveld (2009) placed it in the section Biflores based on its genome size and flower structure. However, Christenhusz et al. (2013) assigned T. regelii to the subgenus Eriostemones. Later, Wilson (2023) placed T. regelii in the section Sylvestres (Baker) Baker.

Figure 36. 

Tulipa regelii in Kazakhstan A general habits B leaf blade C flower. (Photos: A–C by V. Epiktetov).

Tulipa salsola Rukšāns & Zubov, Int. Rock Gard. 148: 11 (2022).

Fig. 37

Type

Kazakhstan • Zhetysu region, the extreme southern part of Dzungarian Alatau (44°10'N, 79°31'E); sandy, saline soils within semi-desert habitat, c. 880 m.a.s.l.; leg. 05 May 2012, Rukšāns; cult. (12KZ-059 specimen grown in J. Rukšāns garden, Latvia), fl. 11 Apr. 2021, Rukšāns (holotype GB).

General distribution

Endemic to Kazakhstan (Kubentayev et al. 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Dzungarian Alatau, and Trans-Ili Kungey Alatau. This species grows on fixed and hilly-ridged sands over brown and gray-brown soils, in depressions of takyrs and solonchaks with Saxaul.

Conservation status

The IUCN conservation status of this species requires assessment.

Phenology

Flowering in March–April; fruiting in May–June.

Notes

Tulipa salsola was described relatively recently in 2022 from the southern part of Dungarian Alatau, Zhetysuyskaya Oblast, Kazakhstan. It is morphologically similar to T. kolbintsevii but differs by the presence of 2(–3) flowers, an adaxially strongly woolly bulb tunic, absent elongated bulb tunic, and stamens shorter or equal to the ovary (vs. one flower, naked on the neck with some hairs on the bulb tunic adaxially, elongated bulb tunic, and stamens longer than the ovary in T. kolbintsevii) (Rukšāns and Zubov 2022).

Figure 37. 

Tulipa salsola in Kazakhstan. A general habits B flower C tepals D gynoecium and stamens E stamens F bulb and bulb sheath. (Photos: A–F by J. Rukšāns).

Tulipa sogdiana Bunge, Beitr. Fl. Russl. 338 (1852).

Fig. 38

Type

Uzbekistan • Inter Bukhara et Kermine, A. Lehmann s.n. (holotype LE; isotypes K 000844627, P00730919, P00730920).

General distribution

Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan (Tojibaev et al. 2022).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Kyzylkum, Southern Ustyrt, Northern Ustyrt, and Mangyshlak. This species grows in deserts on sandy and clay soils.

Conservation status

The IUCN conservation status of this species requires assessment.

Phenology

Flowering in March–April; fruiting in May–June.

Notes

Tulipa sogdiana was first described in 1854 by A.A. Bunge from a desert region between Bukhara and Kermin (Uzbekistan). In “Flora of Kazakhstan” (Polyakov 1958), this species was listed in Kyzylkum. Although we did not identify herbarium materials in this area, we believe that it is in Kzyzlkum, as there are numerous confirmed localities of this species in the Uzbekistan part of Kyzylkum (Tojibaev et al. 2022). Tulipa sogdiana differs from similar species of the subgenus Eriostemones by its glabrous filaments of stamens (Everett et al. 2013; Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019; Tojibaev et al. 2022). Christenhusz et al. (2013) and Everett et al. (2013) placed T. sogdiana in synonymy of T. biflora s.l. However, some authors consider it an independent taxon (Abdulina 1999; Zonneveld 2009; Tojibaev et al. 2022). Wilson (2023) believed that T. sogdiana can be recognized if its uniqueness is proven. Additional studies of this species under natural growing conditions are required to establish its taxonomic position.

Figure 38. 

Tulipa sogdiana in Kazakhstan A general habitat B flowers. (Photos: A by F. Shakula; https://www.plantarium.ru/page/image/id/766687.html); B by V. Epiktetov).

Tulipa suaveolens Roth, Ann. Bot. (Usteri) 10: 44 (1794).

Fig. 39

Type

Kazakhstan • ‘Deserta Caspica’, Pallas (neotype BM!) [neotype designated by Christenhusz et al. 2013: 320].

General distribution

Kazakhstan, Krym, North Caucasus, and Transcaucasus (POWO 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Aktobe, Turgay, Bukeev, Emba, Mugojary, Caspian region, Syrt, Tobol-Ishim, Western Upland, Aral region, and Ulytau. This species grows on steppe and semi-desert areas.

Conservation status

The IUCN conservation status of this species has not yet been assessed. It is included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan (Category III).

Phenology

Flowering in March–April; fruiting in May–June.

Notes

This species is usually reported under T. schrenkii Regel, which was first described from the Yesil River valley in 1873. However, the older name T. suaveolens takes precedence (Christenhusz et al. 2013). Christenhusz et al. (2013) provided lectotyping of T. suaveolens from a specimen collected in the wild, securing the name for wild plants. In Kazakhstan, this species is found in the Caspian region to the Eastern Shallow Basin and from the northern borders of the country to the northern part of Mangystau (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019).

Figure 39. 

Tulipa suaveolens in Kazakhstan A, B general habits C flowers showing color variation of the species D tepals of two different color morphs E gynoecium F stamens G bulb and bulb sheath. (Photos: A–G by S. Kubentayev).

Tulipa tarda Stapf, Bot. Mag. 156: t. 9321 (1933).

Fig. 40

Type

Cultivated • Bulbs sent to Firma Van Tubergen, originally from Iran (Urmia) in 1928. A preserved flower from the Van Tubergen garden and associated original illustration are labeled as presented by the Editor of the Botanical Magazine to the Kew Herbarium (K).

General distribution

Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Trans-Ili Kungey Alatau. This species grows on stony-gravelly and rocky slopes, steppe areas and thickets of shrubs in the lower mountain belt.

Conservation status

The IUCN conservation status of this species has not yet been assessed. It is included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan (Category II).

Phenology

Flowering in April–May; fruiting June.

Notes

Christenhusz et al. (2013) formally synonymized T. tarda into a taxon with the older name T. urumiensis Stapf when revising the genus. However, the name T. tarda has become entrenched in literature, horticultural trade, and conservation assessments, leading to nomenclatural destabilization and confusion. For these reasons, it has been suggested that the name T. urumiensis should be rejected so that T. tarda becomes the correct name for this species (Christenhusz and Wilson 2022). Tulipa tarda is endemic in northern Tien-Shan and grows in the western part of the Zailiyskiy Alatau ridge and adjacent regions of northern Kyrgyzstan, i.e., the valley of the Chu and Chon-Kemin rivers with the adjacent northern slopes of the Kyrgyz ridge and Kungey Alatau (Tolenova et al. 2021).

Figure 40. 

Tulipa tarda in Kazakhstan A general habits B flowers (Photos: A, B by A. Tolenova).

Tulipa tetraphylla Regel, Trudy Imp. S. Peterburgsk. Bot. Sada 3: 296 (1875).

Fig. 41

Type

Kyrgyzstan • Turkestaniae in valle Kotschkura, Kaulbars, Baro (holotype LE, not located).

General distribution

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and China (Xinjiang) (POWO 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Ketmen Terskey Alatau, and Trans-Ili Kungey Alatau. This species grows on stony slopes, and steppe areas in the lower and middle zones of the mountains.

Conservation status

Tulipa tetraphylla is a least concern species at the global level (IUCN 2024).

Phenology

Flowering in April–May; fruiting in June –July.

Note

Tulipa tetraphylla was described by E.L. Regel in 1875 from collections from Central Tian Shan (Kochkur River basin, Kyrgyzstan). Spontaneous hybrids with T. kolpakowskiana have also been reported (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019; Vvedensky 1935). Tulipa tetraphylla is often found in its autotetraploid form (Wilson 2023), although it also has a diploid form (Botschantzeva 1962). The new species T. toktogulica B.D.Wilson & Lazkov from Jalal-Abad province was described in 2022. It is morphologically similar to T. tetraphylla but differs by fewer leaves (3 leaves) and weakly fragrant flowers.

Figure 41. 

Tulipa tetraphylla in Kazakhstan A general habits B flowers. (Photos: A, B by S. Mukhtubayeva).

Tulipa turgaica Perezhogin, Novosti Sist. Vyssh. Rast. 45: 145 (2014).

Fig. 42

Type

Kazakhstan • Prov. Kostanay, Zhangeldin distr., pag. Turgay, 2 May 2009, Yu. Perezhogin (LE).

General distribution

Endemic to Kazakhstan (Kubentayev et al. 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Aktobe, and Turgay. This species grows on dry, deserted clay steppes.

Conservation status

The IUCN conservation status of this species requires assessment.

Phenology

Flowering in April–May; fruiting in June–July.

Notes

Tulipa turgaica was first invalidly described in 2013 by Yu. V. Perezhogin from Northern Kazakhstan (Turgai) and validated in 2014. This species is morphologically similar to T. biebersteiniana but differs by several flowers and grows in drier habitats (Perezhogin 2013). Some taxonomists classified T. biebersteiniana as a synonym of the widespread European T. sylvestris subsp. australis (Christenhusz et al. 2013; Everett et al. 2013). When we studied populations of T. turgaica from the type locality, a high frequency of plants with several flowers was not observed. Individuals with 2–3 flowers were found in the population. However, T. turgaica differs morphologically from mesophytic T. biebersteiniana in that it does not exhibit vegetative propagation and does not form lateral stolons like T. biebersteiniana. Further studies are required to investigate the taxonomy of these species.

Figure 42. 

Tulipa turgaica in Kazakhstan A, B general habits C, D flowers E tepals F bulbs. (Photos: A–F by S. Kubentayev).

Tulipa turkestanica (Regel) Regel, Trudy Imp. S. Peterburgsk. Bot. Sada 3: 296 (1875).

Fig. 43

Type

Uzbekistan • ‘Chiwa’, Korolkow & Krause (COI-00050870) [lectotype designated by Christenhusz et al. 2013: 325].

General distribution

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and China (Xinjiang) (POWO 2024).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Western Tian Shan, Karatau. This species grows in clayey and gravelly slopes from the foothills to the alpine zone (800–3000 m a.s.l.).

Conservation status

Tulipa turkestanica is a least concern species at the global level (IUCN 2024).

Phenology

Flowering in March–June; fruiting June –July.

Notes

Eduard Ludvigovich Regel originally described T. turkestanica as Tulipa sylvestris var. turkestanica Regel in 1873, but later reclassified it as an independent species in 1875 (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019). Morphologically, this species is similar to T. bifloriformis, which differs by its erect buds and woolly pubescence at the top of the bulb scales (Vvedensky 1935). Transitional forms close to T. bifloriformis and T. orthopoda occur in nature (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019), making identifying these taxa difficult. These forms have been poorly studied and require additional research. The range of T. turkestanica might be restricted to Pamir-Alai, and this species might have been replaced by T. bifloriformis in Kazakhstan. However, this hypothesis requires further confirmation.

Figure 43. 

Tulipa turkestanica in Kazakhstan A, B general habits C flowers D tepals and stamens E gynoecium and stamens F stamens G bulb and bulb sheath. (Photos: A–G by S. Kubentayev).

Tulipa × tschimganica Botschantz., Bot. Mater. Gerb. Inst. Bot. Akad. Nauk Uzbeksk. SSR. 16: 10 (1961).

Fig. 44

Type

Uzbekistan • Grown in the Botanical Garden of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbek SSR from bulbs collected by Z.P. Botschantzeva in 1959 in the gorge in piedmonts of Greater Chimgan, on fine earth among stones, Botschantzeva 99 (holotype TASH000526!).

General distribution

Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, and Uzbekistan.

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Western Tian Shan. This species grows on rubbly and stony slopes in lower and middle mountain belts (1400–1700 m a.s.l.).

Conservation status

Not assessed at the global level. However, this nothospecies is not protected in Kazakhstan.

Phenology

Flowering in April–May; fruiting June–July.

Notes

Tulipa × tschimganica was described in 1961 by Z.P. Botschantzeva from specimens grown in the Tashkent Botanical Garden from bulbs collected in Bolshoi Chimgan Gorge (Uzbekistan) (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019). In Kazakhstan, the species was first discovered in 2003 in the territory of the Keles Forestry, Karabausai tract (Karzhantau Ridge) along the rubbly hollows of the northwestern and north-eastern slopes at an altitude of 1600–1700 m a.s.l. (Ivashchenko et al. 2006). The origin of this species is relatively controversial; some consider it a separate species (Botschantzeva 1962; Van Raamsdonk et al. 1997;Pratov et al. 2006; Zonneveld 2009), whereas others consider it a hybrid of T. greigii and T. kaufmanniana (Vvedensky and Kovalevskaya 1971) or a hybrid of T. dubia and T. kaufmanniana (Christenhusz et al. 2013). Tojibaev (2010) and Tojibaev and Beshko (2014) previously considered this species a subspecies of T. kaufmanniana subsp. tschimganica but it was listed as a separate species later in the synopsis of the genus Tulipa (Liliaceae) in Uzbekistan (Tojibaev et al. 2022).

Figure 44. 

Tulipa × tschimganica in Uzbekistan A general habits B flowers. (Photos: A, B by K. Tojibaev).

Tulipa uniflora (L.) Besser ex Baker, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 14: 295 (1874).

Fig. 45

Type

Russia • “In Siberiae montis Sini Sopka”, E. Laxmann (LE; isoneotype K-000844631) [neotype designated by Levichev, 1997].

General distribution

China (Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang), Kazakhstan, Russia (Altay, Chita, Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk, Tuva), and Mongolia (Baasanmunkh et al. 2022).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Altai, Tarbagatay, and Zaysan. This species grows in sandy places, gravelly slopes, and as shrubs from desert foothills to the upper belt of mountains.

Conservation status

Tulipa uniflora is a near threatened species at the global level (IUCN 2024); it is included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan (Category III).

Phenology

Flowering in April–May; fruiting June –July.

Notes

This species was first described by Linnaeus in 1767 as Ornithogalum uniflorum L. from specimens collected from the Altai Mountains. Don (1836) described the new genus Orithyia D.Don. from specimens of Ornithogalum uniflorum. It was not until 1874 that Ch. Bassey assigned this species to Tulipa. Tulipa uniflora is similar to T. heteropetala; their differences are outlined in the description of T. heteropetala above.

Figure 45. 

Tulipa uniflora in Kazakhstan A general habits B flowers. (Photos: A, B by Sh. Baasanmunkh).

Tulipa zenaidae Vved., Byull. Sredne-Aziatsk. Gosud. Univ. 21: 150 (1935).

Fig. 46

Type

Kyrgyzstan • ‘Habitat in montibus Alexandricis (Tian-Shan)’, 14 June 1932, Vvedensky 280 (TASH).

General distribution

Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan (Sennikov and Tojibaev 2021).

Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat

Kyrgyz Alatau. This species grows in fine earth and gravelly slopes, usually with thickets of bushes, in the lower mountain belt.

Figure 46. 

Tulipa zenaidae in Kazakhstan A, B general habits C, D flowers E tepals F, G gynoecium and stamens H bulb (Photos: A–H by S. Kubentayev).

Conservation status

Tulipa zenaidae is a vulnerable species at the global level (IUCN 2024); it is included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan (Category II).

Phenology

Flowering in April–May; fruiting May–July.

Notes

Tulipa zenaidae was described by A.I. Vvedensky in 1935 from Kyrgyz Ridge (Mount Shekule). The species was named in honor of Zinaida Botschantzeva, who devoted her life to studying Central Asian tulips (Ivashchenko and Belyalov 2019). According to the latest classification, this species was assigned the synonym of T. lehmanniana (Christenhusz et al. 2013; Everett et al. 2013). Wilson (2023) later confirmed that T. zenaidae is a different species from T. lehmanniana which we agree with in this study.

Conclusion

The total number of Tulipa species varies according to the source, representing 90–120 species worldwide. Similarly, the number of tulips in Kazakhstan is 32–42, according to various sources. Therefore, we revisited the species diversity of Tulipa in Kazakhstan based on field observations, extensive herbarium specimens, and literature data. We confirmed that 41 tulip taxa are currently distributed in Kazakhstan, of which 13 species are endemic. The present study provides valuable information on the tulip species richness in Kazakhstan, focusing on taxonomic keys, historical notes, species diversity, point distribution maps (Figs 4751), phylogenetic analysis, and photographs of the wild plants. Notably, we identified several high-biodiversity hotspots, particularly in the floristic regions of Western Tian Shan and Trans-Ili Kungey Alatau. We compared herbarium data and iNaturalist observations of tulips, revealing interesting trends in collection periods and observation frequencies. Although herbarium specimens were predominantly collected before 2000, the number of iNaturalist observations has since steadily increased demonstrating the growing contribution of citizen scientists to biodiversity research.

Figure 47. 

Distribution maps of Tulipa in Kazakhstan A T. alberti B T. altaica C T. annae D T. auliekolica E T. biflora F T. bifloriformis G T. borszczowii H T. brachystemon.

Figure 48. 

Distribution maps of Tulipa in Kazakhstan A T. buhseana B T. dasystemon C T. dasystemonoides D T. dianae-verettiae E T. dubia F T. greigii G T. heteropetala H T. heterophylla.

Figure 49. 

Distribution maps of Tulipa in Kazakhstan A T. iliensis B T. ivasczenkoae C T. jansii D T. kaufmanniana E T. kolbintsevii F T. kolpakowskiana G T. korolkowii H T. kujukense.

Figure 50. 

Distribution maps of Tulipa in Kazakhstan A T. lehmanniana B T. lemmersii C T. orthopoda D T. ostrowskiana E T. patens F T. regelii G T. salsola H T. sogdiana.

Figure 51. 

Distribution maps of Tulipa in Kazakhstan A T. suaveolens B T. biebersteiniana C T. tarda D T. tetraphylla E T. turgaica F T. turkestanica G T. uniflora H T. zenaidae.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the curators of all above mentioned herbaria for the opportunity to examine the material, as well as B. Wilson, J.J. de Groot and A.V. Dubynin for valuable advice. We would like to thank our colleagues (V. Kolbintsev, A. Tolenova, G. Bolbotov, N. Beshko, J.J. de Groot and J. Ruskans) for kindly sharing photos of the Tulipa species in this study. The authors would also like to thank the three anonymous reviewers for their insights, which helped improve the manuscript.

Additional information

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Ethical statement

No ethical statement was reported.

Funding

This study was supported by research grants from the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant No. AP14870712), Taxonomic revision of polymorphic plant families of the flora of Uzbekistan (Grant No. FZ-20200929321), in the framework of scientific programs of the National Herbarium of Uzbekistan (TASH), CABCN Project by the Korea National Arboretum (Grant No. KNA1-1-26, 20-1), the Korea Basic Science Institute (National Facilities and Equipment Center) grant funded by the Ministry of Education (Grant No. 2023R1A6C101B022), and the Foundational and Protective Field of Studies Support Project at Changwon National University in 2024.

Author contributions

SAK and SB designed this study. SAK, DTA, VGE, and SKM collected the samples. NBA, ZTI, KSI, and GTS prepared the data. SB, SAK, NN, and ZT analyzed the data. SB, SAK, and NN wrote the original draft of the manuscript. SAK, SB, KT, AAI, HYG, and HJC revised the manuscript. All the authors have revised and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Author ORCIDs

Serik A. Kubentayev https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0369-0591

Shukherdorj Baasanmunkh https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4224-9376

Daniyar T. Alibekov https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1555-1430

Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2846-5777

Nudkhuu Nyamgerel https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9110-423X

Anna A. Ivashchenko https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8526-4296

Zagarjav Tsegmed https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6024-4918

Vladimir G. Epiktetov https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5406-0568

Gulnara T. Sitpayeva https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4614-6155

Klara S. Izbastina https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6418-1950

Zhansaya T. Idrissova https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3231-8518

Saule K. Mukhtubayeva https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5921-3113

Nurganym B. Abubakirova https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7503-0955

Hee-Young Gil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3714-0827

Hyeok Jae Choi https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3644-6795

Data availability

All of the data that support the findings of this study are available in the main text or Supplementary Information.

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Serik A. Kubentayev and Shukherdorj Baasanmunkh contributed equally to this work.

Supplementary material

Supplementary material 1 

Supplementary Information

Serik A. Kubentayev, Shukherdorj Baasanmunkh, Daniyar T. Alibekov, Komiljon Sh. Tojibaev, Nudkhuu Nyamgerel, Anna A. Ivashchenko, Zagarjav Tsegmed, Vladimir G. Epiktetov, Gulnara T. Sitpayeva, Klara S. Izbastina, Zhansaya T. Idrissova, Saule K. Mukhtubayeva, Nurganym B. Abubakirova, Hee-Young Gil, Hyeok Jae Choi

Data type: doc

Explanation note: Sample list for phylogenetic analysis, summary of distribution and conservation status, and list of specimens examined.

This dataset is made available under the Open Database License (http://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/1.0/). The Open Database License (ODbL) is a license agreement intended to allow users to freely share, modify, and use this Dataset while maintaining this same freedom for others, provided that the original source and author(s) are credited.
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