Tulips as valuable ornamental plants in the flora of Iran

The genus Tulipa L. is one of the most beautiful plant genera in Iran's flora, which has 12 species and one variety, among which T. ulophyla is endemic. A review of the geographical distribution pattern of Tulipa showed that Khorasan, Tehran, Golestan, and Hamedan provinces with 8, 7, 6, and 6, have the highest number of species, respectively. They are geographically distributed in all regions of Iran. Various biochemical compounds including carotenoids, anthocyanidins, delphinidin, cyaniding, and pelargonidin determine the color of tulips. The main constituents responsible for tulip scents are monoterpenoids, terpenoids, benzoids, and fatty acids. Based on a survey on the geographical distribution of the species, four species, including T. sogdiana, T. ulophylla, T. hoogiana, and T. lehmanniana, in Iran, are present in a low number of habitats, which means that any habitat damage may threaten these species. Due to the potential of ornamentation of tulip species, they can be used in landscape designing and flower farming by horticultural research