Tulipa orithyioides and T. pulchella (more dwarf tulips)
Antennaria@aol.com (Mon, 01 Mar 2004 19:53:50 PST)

The two photos recently posted to the Pacific Bulb Society - Tulipa page are
terrific. I have comments on each. The photos are located at:
http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/…

The photo by Jane McGary of Tulipa orithyioides Vved. has me intrigued. The
plant looks akin to T. polypetala, with white flowers, yellow center, and
backs of outer tepals an olive color suffused mauve-ish. But the similarity ends
there as surely the stiffly upright foliage and more starry flowers render a
distinctive look apart from polychroma. Based on an IPNI search, I come up
with the spelling "orithyioides" for the species. It's hard to tell from the
photo, but I must ask; Jane, are the stems multiflowered? If so, perhaps it's in
the Biflores section similar to T. polychroma. Also, are the flowers
scented? T. polychroma is heavenly perfumed.

Curious to learn what the epithet "orithyioides" indicates, the only thing I
could find is a bit of greek mythology: "Orithia (or Oreithyia) was a daughter
of the Amazon Queen Marpesia. When her mother was killed by Asian barbarians,
her mother's position fell to her. She forged an alliance with Sagillus, King
of Scythia, who sent his son with an army to help Orithia avenge her mother's
death." Is there a relation between this and the species name?

Dave Brastow posted a gorgeous photo of Tulipa pulchella var humilis...
thanks Dave! The naming of this species is contentious, most often seen the way
Dave labeled it. I think today it is recognized as T. pulchella (Fenzl at
Regel) Baker. But horticulturally, there are two distinct forms, one with blue to
black centers, and another with yellow centers. I believe these are analogous
to Hoog & Dix's Tulipa humilis 'Violacea Black Base" and T. humilis "Violacea
Yellow Base" respectively, but I'm just guessing. Anyone care to attempt
clarifying the naming of the tulips in the "humilis" alliance?

Mark McDonough Pepperell, Massachusetts, United States
antennaria@aol.com "New England" USDA Zone 5
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