1. Origin

2. Economic Importance and Geographic Distribution

3. Clasification

1. Origin

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The origin of the tulipán is located mainly in the mediterranean area and the Asian northeast, although the majority of the varieties cultivated at present proceed of the mountainous regions of Asia Smaller, Persia, the Caucasus and Turdestán. The first seeds of tulipán arrived at Europe to ends of the century XVI originating in Turkey. The name "tulipán" originates of the word "dulban", that signifies in Turkish turban, doing reference to the similarity among its forms.

The botánico Carolus Clusius initiated the cultivation of the tulipán in the garden botanic of Leiden (Holland), from seeds and of bulbos sent from Turkey.

2. Economic Importance and Geographic Distribution

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Due to the private demands agroecológicas of the tulipán, the production of its bulbos is limited and scarce regions in the world.

Holland is the absolute leader of this activity due to its climatic conditions and to an excellent commercial profile. Not alone counts on more than the 55% of the area cultivated in the world (more than 10.000 hectares) but is the moderator of the commercial exchange. It is a matter of the capable only country to create an organization based mainly in:

1.- Control of the vegetable material, as a result of the specialization, investigation and the technological development. 2.- Establishment of large surfaces dedicated to the production of bulbos. 3.- Consolidation of a commercial structure that distributes the product through auctions and an entramado of numerous exporters.

Its competitors in the cultivation of the tulipán are: Great Britain, United States, Japan, Poland and France. Australia and Chile are the main producers of tulipán inside the South Hemisphere, many of which have been created for the own producers and Dutch businessmen. It owed al productive lag with the North Hemisphere, Australia and Chile produce tulipanes when this is found in recess, based fundamentally in the availability of lands and apt climate for their development.
 

3.  Clasification

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A) Tulipanes botánicos: (species still cultivated). -Tulipa kaufmanniana: 20 cm; very alive colors (red, yellow, white); leaves at times with dark spots. Ej. : "Shaskespeare". -T. fosteriana: 30 cm; very early; very large flower; very alive colors; large leaves. Ej. : "Mme Lefeber". -T. greigii: 30 cm; very early; very large flower; leaves with dark spots. Ej. :"Petit chaperon rouge". B) Tulipanes hortícolas: (originated by hybridization). *Early: (floración: the middle of March, the middle of April). -Simple early: from 20 to 40 cm. -Double early: from 20 to 40 cm. Ej. : "Ibis" (simple); "Mr Go der Hoef" (double).