How can the Green Status of Species Help Inform the Conservation of Wild Tulips

When you think of tulips, chances are you picture vibrant spring gardens or the iconic striped fields of the Netherlands. However, behind these cultivated tulips lies a wilder story — one of resilience, diversity, and survival. In remote mountains, steppe, grasslands, and semi-deserts the wild ancestors that enabled the creation of horticultural tulips reside. Understanding … Continue reading How can the Green Status of Species Help Inform the Conservation of Wild Tulips →

Reflections on the passing of Professor Kaiyrkul Shalpykov (1964 – 2025)

It was with great sadness that the Wild Tulip Specialist Group (WTSG) received the news that our dear colleague and friend Professor Kaiyrkul Shalpykov passed away in late January 2025. Kaiyrkul was a key figure in Kyrgyz tulip research and conservation, and an expert in Central Asian flora. He was well respected in the region … Continue reading Reflections on the passing of Professor Kaiyrkul Shalpykov (1964 – 2025) →

Tulips in a Pandemic

As we, as a global community, continue to fight against Covid-19, I thought it might provide some comfort to know that out there, tulips have once again sprouted and flowered. Moreover, that our work to protect these elegant plants is continuing in earnest. So here I am writing a short blog to update you all … Continue reading Tulips in a Pandemic →

A Brief History of Tulips.

A long time ago, in a continent far far away... the tulip came into being. This distant land was the beating heart of world trade with nomads, tribes, and explorers treading its historic roads. I am of course talking about Central Asia and the silk road network, a network that enabled trade between the west … Continue reading A Brief History of Tulips. →