Tulipa albanica is a flowering plant in the tulip genus, family Liliaceae that is native to Albania.[2][3][4] It was discovered near the village of Surroj in Albania in 2010.[2] The plant is a critically endangered (CR) as it grows in an area smaller than 100 ha, surrounded by mining activities.

Tulipa albanica
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Liliales
Family: Liliaceae
Subfamily: Lilioideae
Tribe: Lilieae
Genus: Tulipa
Subgenus: Tulipa subg. Tulipa
Species:
T. albanica
Binomial name
Tulipa albanica
= Kit Tan & Shuka

Related species include Tulipa scardica and Tulipa schrenkii. T. albanica bears morphological similarities to both species, as well as growing in a similar environment, but can be distinguished genetically as well as by T. albanica's undulating leaf shape.[5]

Description

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Tulipa albanica is a bulbous perennial reaching 15–40 cm (6–16 in) in height. The bulb is ovoid to ovoid-globose and 1.5 to 2.5 cm (58 to 1 in) in diameter. The stem is erect, glabrous, glaucous to greyish-green and the leaves, which vary from 3–5, reach a size of about 10–25 cm (4–10 in) long by 1–3.5 cm (381+38 in), and are glaucous to greyish-green. They grow alternately along the stem and the lowermost ones have strongly undulated edges.[5]

The stem bears a solitary large, erect, campanulate flower. It can be found in two colour: yellow to golden-yellow or carmine-scarlet to deep reddish-brown. The chromosome number is 2n = 2x = 24.[5]

Conservation

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The Institute for Environmental Policy, a local NGO is carrying out monitoring and conservation actions, with the aim to propagate the plant to other locations in the region of Kukës, and secure its survival.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Shuka, L. (2018). "Tulipa albanica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T13142545A18614500.en. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b Wheeler 2011.
  3. ^ Shuka, Tan & Siljak-Yakovlev 2010, p. 19.
  4. ^ Christenhusz et al. 2013.
  5. ^ a b c Shuka, Tan & Siljak-Yakovlev 2010.
  6. ^ "Conservation and propagation of the Albanian tulip". Institute for Environmental Policy. IEP. 23 September 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2020.

Bibliography

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