New species of tulip discovered

By Debbie Luxon via SWNS

A new species of tulip has been discovered by British botanists in four rural areas of West Kyrgyzstan.

The unusual yellow tulip has been discovered above a reservoir in a mountainous region of the Central Asian country, 1,000 meters above sea level.

It has now been identified as totally "unique" and put on the endangered species list.

The exciting discovery of the small 10cm to 19cm flower was led in part by Cambridgeshire botanists Sam Brockington and Brett Wilson.

Brett, 28, said that he and a colleague initially thought it looked similar to other species that they knew were growing in the region, but they were well beyond their "known ranges."

The unusual yellow tulip in West Kyrgyzstan. (Brett Wilson via SWNS)

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However, when they dug it up, it showed a unique trait. That's when they thought it must be "something out of the ordinary."

"It turned out to be something completely different – we had found what was likely to be a new species," he said.

Tulipa toktogulica is a lightly scented flower with a long outer 'tunic' which is rare to wild tulips. The outer petals are streaked with red.

It was named after the Toktogul region, which is becoming famous for its rich diversity of rare flowers.

Having identified the new species by DNA analysis, Sam Brockington said: "Through this work, we have been able to deliver a much-improved understanding of the evolutionary history of tulips, the description of a new species and an extinction risk assessment for 52 species across Central Asia."

Brett added: "It has a conservation status and given it is recognized as endangered, it warrants urgent protection.

"In addition, it increases the number of tulip species known from the Toktogul area, Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia strengthening the call for action to protect this flower across these regions."

Cambridge University Botanic Garden, where Sam is the Curator, is now going to attempt to grow the tulips from seed.

According to the Garden, growing tulips from seed is much more difficult than from bulb and can take up to four years for the flower to develop.

However with any luck, the exquisite flower will be available to view in the gardens from spring next year.