Tulipa biflora (=polychroma)

This desert tulip is very rare in Israel, it occurs only in the central Negev Highlands (900 m.), but locally very common. The bright flowers are difficult to photograph since the desert background in very pale, my friends shaded the background and it worked well. This year was more rainy and millions of tulips emerged in its restricted range.

Dr Ori Fragman-Sapir (March 5, 2007)
Head Scientist
The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens
Giv'at-Ram, 91904
Jerusalem, Israel

Tel. +972-52-4472401, Fax. +972-3-5182842

Please visit our website <http://www.botanic.co.il>

A desert species occurring in semi-desert dominated normally by Artemisia herba-alba or its relatives. The scapes bear 1-3 flowers. In dry years it doesn’t bloom. In Israel it is confined to the C Negev desert Highlands (S Israel), recently I found it again in Egypt (S Sinai Highlands). This species should probably be lumped within Tulipa biflora.
 
Dr Ori Fragman-Sapir (March 18, 2006)
Head Scientist
The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens
Giv'at-Ram, 91904
Jerusalem, Israel
 
Tel. +972-52-4472401, Fax. +972-3-5182842
 
Please visit our website www.botanic.co.il