Tulipa orphanidea ssp. whittalii is an exceptionally beautiful species Tulip from Western Turkey with pointed brownish-orange-red petals with pale yellow on the outside of the outer petals. Within the cup, the dark anthers and a dark blackish-olive circle are encircled by another circle of golden yellow and streaks of yellow that run up the middle of the petals, the yellow and dark orange combining in the eye to create a fiery caramel colour that eclipses the dark centre.

Like so many tulips, Tulipa orphanidea ssp. whittalii is known by several synonyms and has undergone several taxonomic changes. Most people know it as either Tulipa orphanidea var. whittallii or Tulipa whittallii, both of which are now considered synonyms. Some nurseries list it as a cultivar, Tulipa orphanidea 'Whittallii' and others as the rather vague, Tulipa orphanidea 'Whittallii Group'. The latest taxonomic change, acknowledging it as a subspecies of Tulipa ophanidea, appears to have dropped the double-l, so it is now Tulipa orphanidea ssp. whittalii and not Tulipa orphanidea ssp. whittallii. Just to add to the confusion...

Limited quantities available.