An underdog story powered by community – thank you for all your incredible support

As the global geopolitical landscape becomes increasingly complex, with rising nationalism and a shift away from international cooperation, conserving species is becoming more difficult. This is particularly true for plants, whose conservation often depends on cross-border collaboration but receives far less attention than that of charismatic animals. It was in this context that the IUCN … Continue reading An underdog story powered by community – thank you for all your incredible support

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)

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.