One of the largest members of the lily family, the tulip has more than 100 species of flowers. It originates from Turkey and its name is derived from the Turkish word for “turban”. The tulip is the national flower of Iran and Turkey.

The flower was introduced in Western Europe and the Netherlands in the 17th century by Carolus Clusius, a famous biologist from Vienna, who received some bulbs from his friend, Ogier de Busbecq, the Ambassador to Constantinople.

The demand for tulip bulbs reached such a peak in the first part of the 17th century, between 1634 and 1637, that this period was named “Tulipmania”. To participate in the trade people were selling their houses, businesses, farm animals and personal belongings. The prices reached unsustainable levels: some varieties of tulip bulbs could cost more than an Amsterdam house at that time. It is believed that the tulip became so popular because of its vivid colors, lines, and flames.

In the 20th century it was discovered, however, that the frilly petals and dramatic flames of the tulips were, in fact, the symptoms of an infection by the mosaic virus, carried by an insect living on peaches and potatoes. Today’s tulips are genetically stable hybrids.

The tulips have a vase life of 7 - 10 days, and they continue growing taller right in the vase.

The Tulip Fever Facts and History.