A Palace Flower, The Tulip
Although it is not known when it was taken to Europe, the Tulip is known as an Ottoman flower. It even gave its name to an era: the Tulip Period.
Belonging to the lily family, the Tulip is included in the genus Tulipa and is a bulbous plant. It has a thin membrane on its bulb. Having between 2 and 8 leaves, the Tulip's leaves are quite thick. Although it usually has one flower on a single stem, it is also seen to have two flowers. Tulips, mostly red, yellow, and intermediate colors, are now produced in almost every color.
Tulips have been the subject of numerous myths. According to the most common legend, lightning strikes a dewdrop on a tulip petal, and the tulip catches fire. It is believed that the tulip flower was formed as a result of the flames extinguishing and freezing. The dark color in the middle of the flower is also a symbol of this flame.
The tulip bulb, whose homeland is the Tian Shan Mountains, was brought to Anatolia during Turkish migrations. The tulip, which was also taken to Europe via Anatolia, is one of the most important flowers of the Netherlands, sent as a gift by Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century, and it constitutes a significant economy. The Netherlands is the country that produces the most tulips in the world.
