Tulipa stapfii

Tulipa stapfii Turrill is now considered by most authorities to be a synonym for Tulipa systola Stapf. Native to Iran, this beautiful dwarf tulip is considered a form of this variable species differing in having more and also wider leaves, crowded near the base. This tulip bears solitary, dark crimson-scarlet, bowl-shaped flowers on sturdy upright stems which have several narrow pointed leaves. Photo by Ian Young.