Tulipa praestans
Tulipa praestans is a species of tulip native to the mountains of Tadzhikistan. Many well known cultivars have been formed from the original plant. Description. It is a low-growing species tulip, and has tall stems. It has 3 to 7 grey-green leaves that are downy and fringed with hairs (ciliate). It can have one flower (normally in the wild,) or it can produce multiple flowers per bulb, meaning it can have a pair of flowers or up to a maximum of five flowers per bulb. It blooms in April, with cup shaped flowers. The flowers are  wide, in orange-red, orange-scarlet, or scarlet. The anthers are yellow or purple. Taxonomy. The specific epithet "praestans", refers to the Latin for 'remarkable',' pre - eminent , superior , excellent or distinguished'. "T. praestans" was originally described and published by Carl Anton von Meyer in The Gardeners' Chronicle Series 3, Vol.33 on page 239 in 1903. Distribution and habitat. It is native to temperate areas of Central Asia. Range. It is found in Tajikistan, in the Pamir-Alay mountain system. Habitat. It grows on rocky slopes, screes, and in light woodland, at an altitude of above sea level. Cultivars. The following  cultivars represent praestans in cultivation: 'Fuselier' always has Toxicity. All parts may cause severe discomfort if ingested. Contact may cause a skin reaction.