Photo tour from Almaty for wild tulips of Kazakhstan -
The best time to watch tulips bloom in Kazakhstan -
Tulipa Dasystemon is a rare and unique type of tulip that attracts attention with its unusual shape and bright color. Its name is associated with a characteristic feature - fluffy stamens, which give the flower a special charm. This species is endemic to the mountainous regions of Central Asia and is of great interest to botanists and nature lovers. The tulip was first described back in 1885 by the famous botanist, doctor of philosophy and garden scientist Eduard Ludvigovich Regel. In 1879, Fetisov Alexey Mikhailovich, a famous Russian botanist and gardener, collected herbarium specimens of this tulip in the upper reaches of the Malaya Almatinka River in the foothills of the city of Almaty.
Tulipa Dasystemon blooms in April-May, depending on the altitude and climate conditions. Its flowering lasts about two weeks, creating bright accents in mountain landscapes.
How to find, see and watch -
Tulipa Dasystemon grows in Kazakhstan, the Tien Shan Mountains, the Zailiysky Alatau Mountains, the Ketmen Mountain Range, the Terskey Alatau Mountains, the Almaty Region, the Zhambyl Region.
Information -
Tulipa Dasystemon is not only a botanical value, but also an important object for ecotourism. We organize special tours in the Almaty area and the Almaty region so that you can see this rare species in its natural environment. Our tours include: visiting mountain valleys and foothills of Central Asia, excursions with professional guides and botanists, lessons in botanical photography, acquaintance with the nature and culture of the region. We support responsible tourism and care about nature conservation. The spring flowering of the Tulip is a real miracle of nature, which lasts only a few weeks. Do not miss the opportunity to see it with your own eyes! Our tours will give you unforgettable impressions, unique photographs and the opportunity to learn more about the fragile beauty of mountain nature.
Like many wild tulips, Tulipa Dasystemon is under threat due to the destruction of its natural habitat. The main threats are: grazing, collection of flowers and bulbs by people, climate change. The species is listed in the Red Book of some Central Asian countries and is protected in reserves and national parks, for example, in the Ile-Alatau Park.
Detailed description -
The bulb of Tulipa Dasystemon is small, no more than 1.5 cm in diameter, covered with brown papery scales. Inside, the bulb is bare or slightly pubescent at the top with a few pressed hairs. The stem is short, reaching 15–20 cm in height, with two spaced linear leaves that are longer than the flower. The flower is bright yellow, up to 3 cm in height, with pointed perianth lobes. The outer lobes are greenish-purple on the outside, which creates a beautiful contrast. The stamen filaments are hairy, cylindrical, yellow, like the anthers. The ovary has a long style, and the fruit is an oblong capsule up to 2.5 cm long and up to 1 cm wide. One capsule can contain up to 159 normally developed seeds. Reproduction occurs both by seeds and vegetatively. Tulipa pilosaten blooms from early May to late July, and bears fruit in June-August. It grows in steppe and meadow areas of slopes, as well as in forest glades from the middle to alpine belt. Its main habitats are the Zailiysky Alatau, the Ketmen and Terskey Alatau ridges, and partly the Kyrgyz ridge (Almaty and Zhambyl regions). Although some literary sources mention that this species is found throughout the Tien Shan, it has not been found in the Kazakh part of the Western Tien Shan. This species was first tested in culture by Eduard Ludvigovich Regel in St. Petersburg before 1880. Now it is common in the collections of many botanical gardens in Central Asia, Russia and Western Europe, although in Europe another species is often described under this name - the late tulip (Tulipa tarda Stapf). In Almaty, this species blooms and bears fruit well, and self-sows. Individuals transplanted with bulbs successfully reproduce vegetatively and bloom without digging for more than 12 years. Tulipa pilosa is a very decorative and easy to cultivate miniature species, which is especially promising for rock gardens. It is protected on the territory of the Almaty Reserve and Ile-Alatau Nature Park.
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