Tulipa orithyioides and T. pulchella (more dwarf tulips)

The form of the word, orithyi + oides, suggests that it is named for or
being compared to something else: is there, for instance, a Tulipa
orithyia? If so, then orithyioides indicates a similarity to that putative
species.

Incidentally, the spelling of the word is unorthodox: four separately
pronounced vowel sounds in a row (y, i, o, i; remember, oi in Latin does
not equal oi in English ) is very peculiar. A more traditional orthodox
spelling would be orithyjoides, where the j represents not the sound of the
English j but the "consonental i sound" (like j in German).

But don't forget that botanists don't have to follow traditional grammar -
they have their own rules.

In addition to the great story Mark told about the name, I can add a bit
more (but nothing to equal Amazon Queens): the name orithyia looks like it
comes from the words for mountain and a resinous tree, juniper or cedar for
instance. That's an apt name for someone who shows resliiance and
determination.

Here's a sort of mnemonic: the part of the name which refers to the cedar
is thyia. Most of you know this as Thuja. Greek upsilon is sometimes given
as u and sometimes given as y. For an explanation of the j, see above. If
you pronounce Thuja as thoo-ya, this might make more sense.

Jim McKenney
jimmckenney@starpower.net
Montgomery County, Maryland zone 7 where we had light rain this morning and
are now enjouing temperatures above 60 degrees F.

At 10:53 PM 3/1/2004 EST, you wrote:

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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