Tulipa cypria Stapf, 1934
Common names: Cyprus tulip [En], Tulipe de Chypre [Fr], Τουλίπα η Κύπρια [Gr], Kıbrıs lalesi, Medoş Laleleri [Tu]

Endemic species

IUCN Status: EN (Endangered)

Geçitköy (Panagra, Παναγρα), Kyrenia (Girne, Κερύνεια) ● Cyprus

Description: Perennial, bulbous, upright turf, 15-40 cm height (at flowering), glabrous with light blue-green colour.
The leaves are simple, four, fleshy, the two largest at the base, lanceolate, 10-20x2-6 cm, with strong wavy edge, the upper much smaller, almost having a linear form.
The stem bears one flower, with a cuppy perianth, from 6 free horseshoe petals with dark red (bloody) colour and a black round spot at the base of their internal surface.

Biology: Flowering in March-April.

Habitat: Cereal fields, pastures, open Juniperus phoenicea shrubland and Sarcopoterium spinosum phryganas.

Distribution: Endemic species to Cyprus. It can be found at three locations: the Akamas forest, Kormakitis (Koruçam, Κορμακίτης) - Myrtou (Çamlıbel, Μύρτου), Panagra (Geçitköy, Παναγρα) and Mammari (Μάμμαρι), between 100 and 300 m altitude. Its area of occupancy is 44 km².

Threats: The population size has been reported to be more than 6,000 individuals with an unknown trend. It is threatened by overgrazing, overcollection, urbanisation, use of herbicides, and natural fires. The quality and extent of its habitat are declining and the species is therefore assessed as Endangered.

References:
Cyprus Center of Environmental Research and Education
Bilz, M. 2011. Tulipa cypria. In: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2.

Created on

Thursday 28 March 2013

Tags

Cyprus , Endemic

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