The tulip is a perennial; bulbous plant with showy flowers in the genus Tulipa; of which around 75 wild species are currently accepted and which belongs to the family Liliaceae. The genus's native range extends west to the Iberian Peninsula; through North Africa to Greece; the Balkans; Turkey; throughout the Levant (Syria; Israel; Lebanon; Jordan) and Iran; North to Ukraine; southern Siberia and Mongolia; and east to the Northwest of China.

The tulip's centre of diversity is in the Pamir; Hindu Kush; and Tien Shan mountains. It is a typical element of steppe and winter-rain Mediterranean vegetation. A number of species and many hybrid cultivars are grown in gardens; as potted plants; or as cut flowers. Pictures From History