Types of Flowers in Turkey
The country of Turkey is rich in plant life and is particularly known for its beautiful flowers found nowhere else in the world. Steps are being taken to preserve these species as many, especially those found near ecologically fragile environments, risk extinction. Does this Spark an idea?
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Flora Unique to Turkey
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Indigenous plant species found only in Turkey include the bright red Centaurea tchihatcheffii, the pink Cyclamen trochopteranthum, the rare Iris pamphylica, the red Tulipa orphanidea, and the large Paeonia turcica with blossoms that can span 10 centimeters.
Other Flowers
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Other flowers indigenous to Turkey include the winter aconite (Eranthis), which features bright yellow blooms; the Galanthus, also called snowdrop, with its droopy white petals; the blue and/or white Anemone blanda; the poisonous Hellebores orientalis; and the Crocus, of which there are 35 species in Turkey.
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Tulip
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The tulip is the national flower of Turkey. The word "tulip" is derived from the Turkish word for turban. In the Ottoman Empire, the period of time from 1718 to 1730 is known as the Tulip Era. A relatively peaceful span of time, the tulip was popular among the upper class and its image commonly appears in textile design and trinkets from the era.
Flora Regions
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Turkey is divided into three flora regions that it shares with neighboring countries. Each region contains its own subregions. The major areas are the Euro-Siberian region near the Black Sea, the Mediterranean region in the western portion of the country, and the Irano-Turanian region in the east.
Important Plant Area
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An Important Plant Area (IPA) is a region featuring rare and/or exceptional plants that, for preservation purposes, requires protection. Turkey was the first country to compile a nationwide inventory of such sites. There are at least 144 IPAs in Turkey, up from 122 in 2004.
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