Tulip is the national flowerof Kyrgyzstan. Tulipa gesneriana is the scientific name of Tulip and it is commonly known as tulipa or garden tulip. The word “Tulip” is derived from the Turkish word ‘Tulbend’. Tulips are greatly popular among the people of Kyrgyzstan. The cultivation of tulips began in Persia, most probably in the 10century and in early 15 century, the Tulip is native to Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and some other part of Central Asia.
It was also the favorite flower of King of the Ottoman Empire. Most of the people may confused about the national flower of Kyrgyzstan because of their national symbol. It is Poppy flower and it’s grow throughout the country. History says, Holland is the state of Tulip flower, but originally Kyrgyzstan is the state of Tulip. About seventy types of Tulip out of eighty are growing in central Asia, which twenty two types are growing in Kyrgyzstan.
Surprisingly eight of very rare tulipof the world are growing in Kyrgyzstan.People of Kyrgyzstan attract to love tulip through its magnificent beauty and symbol of emotions, which bring it to be the National flower of Kyrgyzstan.
Facts about Kyrgyzstan’s National Flower (Tulip)
- Common Name: Tulip or garden tulip
- Genus: Tulipa
- Species: T. clusiana
- Found in: Keukenhof garden, mountainous areas with temperate climates.
- Color: White, pink, yellow, green
- Number of petals: 3 petals and 3 sepals
- Time of blooming: Spring
- Purpose: Gardening, adornment
- Symbolism: love, passion, royalty, purity, enthusiasm and romance
Tulip is the favorite national flower symbol of the people of Kyrgyzstan. People in Kyrgyzstan feel greatly attached to their national flower and because of their love towards the Tulips, they are planted all over the nation. Tulips belong to Liliaceae family (Lilioideae,sub-family) and Tulipa as a genus. The word “tulip” means turban in Turkish and is thought to signify the plants turban-like shape. Tulips begin their lives as bulbs, rather than seeds alone.
Tulips bloom in spring, but preparation begins in early to late winter. Tulip bulbs need a minimum of four weeks of chilling before they will bloom and in order for the bulbs to blossom in the springtime, they must be planted in the summer months. This beautiful flower grows as a single stem and flower for each plant, with 2 to 6 long, thin and green leaves. Tulip blooms only 3-7 days in spring and can reach height ranging from 10 cm to 71 cm depending on the species.
It is an eye-catching flower with V-shape leaves with a waxy coating and the actual flowers have three petals and three sepals (they are termed as “tepals” because are so identical). Tulips come in a wide variety of about 150 species and with over 3000 different diversities. They not only differ in species, but tulips also come with a large range of colors except pure blue. In the 1600s tulips were the most expensive flower in the world; some were even valued higher than most homes. Investors traded bulbs for far above their true value before the market suddenly crashed.
The term “Tulip Mania” was derived from this occurrence. Now, “Tulip Mania” is often used to describe any economic bubble. Most species of Tulip are perfectly symmetrical, which makes them a great centerpiece for the home or office environment. They’re also extremely vibrant in color and each color symbolizes different things. For example, Yellow is the color of unrequited or spurned love, Bright red is the color of passion and perfect love, Purple is tied to royalty, but also abundance and prosperity and Pink is less intense affection and love, appropriate for friends and family.
The most popular flower is the rose, the second most popular the chrysanthemum and the tulips are in third place in the row of most popular flowers. On Valentine’s Day, the tulip is the second most popular flower to send (after the roses). Tulips have other uses as well. Since they are the members of Liliaceae family (like onions), the bulbs of the tulips are sometimes used in place of onions. The petals are often used to decorate dishes just because of the elegance of their colors.
To sum up, Tulip is the national flower of Kyrgyzstan. This flower not only symbolizes the beginning of spring, but also holds linkage to the tradition and culture of Kyrgyzstan.