Eichler tulip
Tulipa eichleri, family Liliaceae
A rare deep red tulip from the Caucasus and Iran with a dark central blotch
Eichler tulip is a bulbous perennial with large, deep red flowers marked by a dark blue-black blotch edged in yellow. Native to the Caucasus, Iran, Turkey, and nearby regions, it grows on dry slopes and steppes and is now rare in the wild. Its striking blooms appear in early spring and are valued by specialist gardeners.
- Large, deep red flowers with a blue-black blotch edged in yellow
- Native to the Caucasus, Iran, Turkey, and Azerbaijan
- Rare in the wild and listed as a threatened species in Georgia
- Awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit in 1932
- Flowers appear in early spring, from April to May
What does Eichler tulip look like?
Eichler tulip grows from a bulb and reaches about 25–30 cm tall. It has broad, bluish-green leaves with wavy edges and a single upright, hairy stem. The large, bell- or goblet-shaped flower is one of the biggest among wild tulips, showing vivid shades from scarlet to deep red or orange-red. Each bloom has six simple tepals and a striking blue-black or black blotch at the base, edged with yellow. The flower closes at night.
Where does Eichler tulip come from?
This tulip is native to the temperate slopes and steppes of the Caucasus Mountains, Iran, Turkey, and Azerbaijan. First described in 1874 by Eduard Regel from Turkestan, it was named for botanist August W. Eichler. It was introduced to English gardens in 1876. Over time, some botanists have considered it a synonym of Tulipa undulatifolia, but Tulipa eichleri is still recognized by some sources. It is now rare and listed as a threatened species in Georgia.
When and how Eichler tulip blooms
Eichler tulip blooms in early spring, from April to May. It prefers dry, sunny slopes and well-drained, humus-rich soil. The plant is hardy and can withstand cold winters, needing a hot dry summer to flower again. It is propagated by offsets from the main bulb, though it may take several years to bloom. Gardeners plant bulbs in fall or spring and allow foliage to die back after flowering.
How Eichler tulip is used
This tulip is mainly grown by specialist gardeners and used in gardens, rockeries, and sometimes for hybridization. It is rarely cultivated and is not common in the cut flower trade. In Azerbaijan, the flower appeared on a postage stamp. Its rarity and striking appearance make it a prized plant for collectors and conservationists.
Kinds of Eichler tulip
Some sources consider Tulipa eichleri the same as Tulipa undulatifolia or its variety undulatifolia. The plant has been used in hybridization, and its flowers can vary in shade from scarlet to deep red or orange. Its close relatives include Tulipa gesneriana and other wild tulips of the region.
What Eichler tulip means
Eichler tulip is listed as a Red Data species in Georgia due to habitat loss and declining numbers. It has been featured on Azerbaijani postage stamps. The Royal Horticultural Society awarded it the Award of Garden Merit in 1932. Conservation efforts include seed banking to help preserve the species.
Questions people ask about Eichler tulip
Where does the Eichler tulip come from?
It is native to the Caucasus Mountains, Iran, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, growing on dry slopes and steppes in temperate regions.
What does the Eichler tulip look like?
It has a single upright stem with broad, wavy-edged leaves and a large, bell-shaped red flower with a blue-black blotch edged in yellow at the base.
When does the Eichler tulip bloom?
It blooms in early spring, usually between April and May in its native range.
Is the Eichler tulip common in gardens?
It is rarely cultivated and mainly grown by specialist gardeners. It is valued for its striking appearance but is not widely available.
Is the Eichler tulip endangered?
It is considered very rare in the wild and is listed as a threatened species in Georgia due to habitat loss and declining populations.
Good reading and sources
- Tulipa eichleriRoyal Horticultural Society, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Tulipa eichleri on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Tulipa eichleri", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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