Tulipa splendens Блестящо лале
Tulipa splendens Delip. Liliaceae – Lily family Main characteristic: Bulbous perennial. Bulb ovate; tunic scales dark brown, hairy on the inner face. Stem up to 25 cm. Leaves 3–4, oblong-ovate to lanceolate. Perianth segments red; the outer with a dark, basal blotch inside, the inner with dark basal blotch edged with yellow and with a clear median yellowish stripe up to the apex. Filaments hairy near the base, yellow, in the middle part dark violet. Fruit an oblong-elliptic, more or less triangular capsule. Insect pollination. Reproduction by seeds. Habitats and populations: Grows in forest openings, by fields and cultivated ground in the xerothermic oak forest belt usually on well developed soils. Distribution in Bulgaria: Toundzha Hilly Country, Yambol district at 140 m alt. General distribution: Bulgaria. Threats: Very limited distribution area of the species; very small population size; low reproductive capacity; habitat destruction due to intensive agriculture and domestic pollution (waste deposition); harvesting of flowers and collection of bulbs for gardening. Conservation status: Critically Endangered Bulgarian endemic Conservation measures taken: Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. The locality is designated as a protected area (Tetrolika Nature Monument). Conservation measures needed. Monitoring of the only known population; optimization of the size and location of the surrounding arable lands in accordance with the species requirements and sustainability; effective control of the human activities in the area; elaboration and implementation of an action plan for protection of the only species population; deposition of seeds in the National Seedbank in Bulgaria and reintroduction of individuals back to the locality.
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