Red Cretan Tulip

The red tulip of Crete ( Tulipa doerfleri ) is an endemic tulip species of Crete that is exclusively at the small plateau of Gious Cambos , near Spili , at an altitude ranging from 700-800m. In spring (April) this small plateau is covered by a red carpet made of tulips.

The species, because of its limited distribution, is considered endangered and has been protected by presidential decree since 1981. It is similar to Tulipa orphanidea , but is a separate species.

It is named after the Austrian botanist Ignaz Dörfler , who studied it in the early 20th century. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with a bulb, a leathery integument, and a hairy interior.

The stem is 10-30 cm high and the leaves are thin and linear. The flowers have 6 free dark red petals, spatula-shaped and oval, 30-50mm, the smaller outer ones with a green tinge at the base and the larger inner ones with a dark spot at the base.

The red tulip multiplies with bulbs, meaning that it is spread with the help of human activities.