Wild tulip
Tulipa clusiana

Family: Liliaceae

What it is like

A tulip bulb plant. It grows about 25 cm tall. Bulbs have a rough tunic with hairs around the base. The flowers are star-like. There are yellow marks near the base.

There are about 100 Tulipa species and many cultivated varieties.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In the Indian Himalayas it grows between 1,500-3,000 m above sea level. It suits cold arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Australia, Himalayas (country/location of origin), India, Iran, Middle East, Pakistan, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The bulbs are eaten in times of scarcity. They can be eaten raw.

Edible parts

Root, bulb

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kapichog, Kayaloon, Maghey, Mijhau, Shamdai, Spin gul, Tukapa

Synonyms

Liriactis albiflora Raf.; Tulipa aitchisonii A. D. Hall; Tulipa chitralensis A. D. Hall; Tulipa chrysantha Boiss. Tulipa clusiana var. stellata (Hook.) Regel; Tulipa fernandezii Blatt.; Tulipa stellata Hook.; and others