Tulip Tulipa urumiensis (15)
ABOUT
The tulip, specifically the variety you're inquiring about, typically showcases a bold, cup-shaped flower. The petals come in a striking array of colors, which could be a vivid single shade or a gradient mix, often accented with contrasting markings on the petal bases. The leaves are generally elongated and can have a waxy or slightly glaucous texture, providing an attractive backdrop for the flowers. The overall form of the tulip is graceful, with a sturdy yet elegant stem supporting the bloom that perches atop, often giving the impression of a well-poised floral display.
About this plant
- Names
Synonyms
Urumia Tulip, Urumiyeh Tulip
Common names
Tulipa urumiensis
- Toxicity
To humans
The common name for Tulipa urumiensis is tulip. Tulips contain allergenic lactones and other compounds that can be mildly poisonous if ingested in large quantities. Eating parts of a tulip can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness. Contact with the bulb can cause skin irritation due to its allergenic lactones. It is important to handle tulips with care and ensure they are not consumed by children or adults.
To pets
The common name for Tulipa urumiensis is tulip. Tulips can be toxic to pets, especially cats and dogs, if ingested. The bulb is the most toxic part. Symptoms of tulip poisoning in pets may include vomiting, depression, diarrhea, and hyper-salivation. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to cardiac abnormalities or respiratory distress. If you suspect your pet has ingested tulip bulbs, it is important to seek veterinary care immediately.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Red
Height
1 foot [30 cm]
Spread
6 inches [15 cm]
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
7
Native area
Iran
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Enhances Aesthetic Appeal: Tulipa urumiensis, commonly known as the Urumien Tulip, adds color and beauty to gardens with its vibrant blooms, creating visually appealing landscapes.
- Supports Pollinators: The flower provides nectar and pollen to bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects, aiding in the health of the ecosystem.
- Botanical Research: As a less common species, it offers opportunities for botanical study and can contribute to the understanding of plant genetics and biodiversity.
- Cultural Significance: The Urumien Tulip can be of cultural importance in regions where it is native, potentially used in traditional events and celebrations.
- Education: It serves as a teaching tool for botany and horticulture, giving students and enthusiasts a chance to learn about plant lifecycles and care.
- Horticultural Variety: Contributing to the diversity in gardens, it provides horticulturists with more options for design and plant selection.
- Conservation: Growing Tulipa urumiensis can aid in the preservation of the species, especially if it is rare or endangered in its natural habitat.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Tulip petals of Tulipa urumiensis can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, providing a range of colors from yellow to green depending on the mordant used.
- The sturdy stems of this tulip can be included in floral arts, such as Ikebana, for their aesthetic appeal and structural integrity.
- Crushed tulip petals may serve as a colorant for artisanal paper, giving it a unique and decorative look.
- During blooming season, the flowers can attract and provide a food source for pollinators, contributing to the health of local ecosystems.
- Tulip bulbs, including those of Tulipa urumiensis, have been historically used as a famine food in times of scarcity, although this is not advisable due to potential toxicity.
- The petals can be used to create eco-friendly confetti for celebrations, as they decompose more readily than plastic alternatives.
- The plant could serve as an ornamental element in landscape design, particularly for spring-themed gardens due to its early blooming.
- Dried tulip petals of Tulipa urumiensis can be incorporated into potpourri mixtures for a subtle, natural fragrance.
- Tulipa urumiensis can be used in photography and painting as a subject for practicing color and light studies, due to its vibrant colors.
- The flower can also be a source of inspiration for designers and artists, providing a natural form to influence patterns and shapes in their work.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The Tulip is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Tulip is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Perfect Love: Tulips often symbolize perfect, deep, or enduring love, and Tulipa urumiensis, being a rare and unique type of tulip, could represent a unique or rare form of this emotion.
- Rebirth: As with many spring flowers, tulips signify rebirth and fresh beginnings. Tulipa urumiensis blooming could be seen as a signal of the arrival of spring and new opportunities.
- Royalty: Their elegant shape and association with the historical Turkish Empire, where tulips were highly prized, may lend Tulipa urumiensis a regal air or connection to royalty.
- Determination: Tulips, being one of the first flowers to bloom in spring often pushing through the snow, represent determination and resilience, which could also be applied to Tulipa urumiensis as a symbol of overcoming challenges.
- Prosperity: Tulips in history have been associated with prosperity and abundance, which can be extended to include Tulipa urumiensis, symbolizing a wish for material or spiritual wealth.
- Water
Urumien Tulip bulbs should be watered thoroughly at the time of planting, with about 1 gallon of water per square foot of soil to settle in the bulbs. Afterwards, during their growth period in the spring, water once a week if there is no significant rainfall, providing around 0.5 gallons per square foot. Once the foliage has yellowed and died back after flowering, watering should be reduced significantly to mimic the dry summer dormancy period in their native habitat.
- Light
Urumien Tulips thrive in full sunlight with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily. They perform best in a location where morning sunlight is strong and they're sheltered from the harsher afternoon sunlight. This ensures they get enough light for optimal growth without the risk of overheating or scorching the delicate petals.
- Temperature
Urumien Tulips prefer a cool to moderate climate and can survive temperatures as low as 14°F during winter dormancy. Ideally, during the growing season, the temperature should range between 50°F and 70°F for optimal growth. It's crucial to avoid excessively warm temperatures over 78°F as the tulips enter dormancy after their spring flowering.
- Pruning
Pruning Urumien Tulips includes deadheading the spent flowers to prevent seed production, which can be done as soon as the flowers fade. Foliage should be left to die back naturally and should not be removed until it turns yellow and can be easily pulled away. This typically occurs by late spring or early summer.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
Tulipa urumiensis, also known as Urumien Tulip, prefers well-drained sandy or loamy soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. The ideal soil mix for this tulip would include equal parts of sand, loam, and compost to ensure good drainage and adequate nutrients.
- Repotting
Urumien Tulips typically do not require frequent repotting, as they are grown from bulbs that are planted in the ground. However, if grown in containers, the bulbs should be lifted and stored after the foliage dies back and then replanted in the autumn.
- Humidity & Misting
Urumien Tulips do well in the average outdoor humidity levels and do not require specific humidity conditions. As long as they are planted in an open space where air circulation is present, they can thrive.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Place Urumien Tulip in bright, indirect light with cool temperatures.
Outdoor
Plant Urumien Tulip in well-drained soil, full sun to partial shade.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
- Life cycle
Tulipa urumiensis, commonly known as the Urumiensis Tulip, starts its life cycle as a bulb, which remains dormant underground during the hot and dry summer months. In the fall, cooler temperatures and increased moisture signal the bulb to produce roots and a shoot that emerges from the soil in early spring. The shoot grows into a stem with leaves and a single flower bud, which then blossoms into a colorful tulip flower, usually red or pink with a yellow base, by mid-spring. After pollination, possibly by insects attracted to the flower, the petals fall off and the plant forms a seed capsule. As the capsule matures, it dries and releases seeds that can disperse to grow into new bulbs. With the onset of the warm season, the above-ground parts of the Urumiensis Tulip die back, and the bulb enters dormancy until the next fall.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring
Tulipa urumiensis, commonly known as Tulip, is generally propagated by bulb division, a popular method due to its simplicity and effectiveness. The best time for this is when the plant is dormant, usually in late summer to autumn. To propagate by bulb division, carefully dig up the tulip bulbs after the foliage has died back and gently separate any small bulbs that have formed around the base of the mother bulb. These bulb offsets, or bulblets, should be planted about 8 inches (20 centimeters) apart and at a depth approximately three times the height of the bulb, in well-drained soil. With proper care, these bulblets will develop into flowering plants over the course of one or two growing seasons, depending on their size and the growing conditions.