Tulipa cypria

Tulipa cypria, the Cyprus tulip, is a tulip, an erect perennial bulbous herb, 15–40 cm high (in blossom), with glabrous, glaucous leaves. The four leaves are alternate, simple, entire, fleshy, the two lower ones larger, laceolate, 10-20 x 2–6 cm, with conspicuously undulate margins, the two higher much smaller, nearly linear. One terminal showy flower, perianth cup shaped, of six free, petaloid segments, 2.5-9 x 1-3.5 cm, with dark blood-red colour, internally with a black blotch bordered by a yellow zone. It flowers March–April. The fruit is a capsule.
Habitat.
The Cyprian tulip grows in "juniperus phoenicea" maquis pastures and cereal fields, on limestone at altitudes of above sea level.
Distribution.
The plant is endemic to Cyprus, on Akamas, Kormakitis and some areas of the Pentadaktylos range. It is very rare and strictly protected.