Tulipa ivasczenkoae Epiktetov & Belyalov

Tulipa ivasczenkoae Epiktetov & Belyalov, Turczaninowia 16: 5 (2013). Fig. 24 Type. Kazakhstan • SW part of Dzhungarian Alatau, mts. Chulak; Aiyrkezen, upper third of stony northern slope (1100 m. a. s. l.), between bushes, 26 April 2013, V. G. Epiktetov & O. V. Belyalov (ALTB, iso – LE). General distribution. Endemic to Kazakhstan (Kubentayev et al. 2024). Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat. Dzungarian Alatau. This species grows on dry stony slopes among shrubs in low-desert mountains (1100 m a. s. l.). Conservation status. Tulipa ivasczenkoae is a critically endangered species at the global level (IUCN 2024). Phenology. Flowering in April – May; fruiting in June. Notes. Tulipa ivasczenkoae was described in 2013 from the south-western part of the Dzungarian Alatau, Chulak Mountain, Ayyrkezen. The species was named in honor of the Kazakhstani scientist Anna Andreyevna Ivasczenko, who has been studying wild bulbous plants of Kazakhstan, including tulips, since 1963. This species is closely related to the Pamir-Alai endemic T. fosteriana Irw. and T. carinata Vved. It is distinguished from the former by keeled leaves and from the latter by blunt or short pointed rather than long-pointed perianth leaflets and larger broad leaves (Epiktetov and Belyalov 2013). This species has not been encountered in other areas since its description; thus far, it is known only from its type locality.