Tulipa iliensis Regel

Tulipa iliensis Regel, Gartenflora 28: 162 (1879). Fig. 23 Type. Kyrgyzstan. ‘ Sarybulak’, 23 Apr 1878, A. Regel (lectotype P-00730916; isolectotype BM) [lectotype designated by Christenhusz et al. 2013: 315]. General distribution. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and China (NW-Xinjiang) (POWO 2024). Distribution in Kazakhstan and habitat. Ketmen, and Terskey Alatau. This species grows on steppe slopes and among shrubs in the altitude range of 1300–1500 m a. s. l. Conservation status. Tulipa iliensis is near threatened species at the global level (IUCN 2024). Phenology. Flowering in April – May; fruiting in June – July. Notes. Tulipa iliensis was described by E. L. Regel in 1879 based on collections by A. Regel from the upper reaches of the Ile River. This species is morphologically similar to T. altaica, differing by the appressed hair-like pubescence at the apex and base of the bulb sheaths and linear (linear-lanceolate) leaves with a flat margin (Vvedensky 1935). Van Raamsdonk and De Vries (1995) listed T. iliensis and T. kolpakowskiana as synonyms of T. altaica. However, this species is recognized as independent according to the latest classifications of the genus Tulipa (Zonneveld 2009; Christenhusz et al. 2013; Everett et al. 2013). Tulipa iliensis, T. kolpakowskiana, T. altaica, and T. thianschanica are closely related species, as confirmed by molecular genetic data (Christenhusz et al. 2013; Li et al. 2021). The main range of T. iliensis is in China (Xinjiang) (Qin et al. 2024). In Kazakhstan, only a few localities of this species are known on the Ketmen Terskey Alatau.