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TrekNature DwCA
Another pic of the desert tulip (Tulipa systola). It is one of the shortest, but striking desert flowers. It blooms only in rainy years. In Israel it is a protected plant. The wavy leaves save water: they shade themselves.
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TrekNature DwCA
Tulipa systola is very polymorphic desert bulb. It normally doesn't have the yellow stripe between the black and red areas. But often it is very similar to the Mediterranean Tulipa agenensis that has the yellow stripe. Both pictures were taken in the same population in the Negev Desert.
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TrekNature DwCA
The desert tulip (Tulipa systola) is one of the small, but striking desert flowers. It blooms only in rainy years. The dark patches at the flowers centre have evolved to contrast the paler pollen which is the reward for the visiting insects. No nectar is secreted in the flower. In Israel it is a protected plant.
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TrekNature DwCA
This is the second desert tulip in Israel, it is commoner. It has scarlet red flowers that sine in its rocky habitat. One can find this species between Israel and Iran.
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TrekNature DwCA
This was certainly the year of the tulips in the Israeli desert highlands. Millions of them emerged almost everywehre. The ones u see here enjoy the water flow from the neighbouring rocks.
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TrekNature DwCA
This is the second desert tulip in Israel, it is commoner than T. biflora. It has scarlet red flowers that shine in its rocky habitat. One can find this species between Israel and Iran.