Collection and evaluation of wild tulip (Tulipa spp.) resources in China

China is known throughout the world as one of the most diverse centres of wild Tulipa L. resources. There are 17 wild Tulipa species distributed in China, and 12 species are only distributed in Xinjiang Province. In this paper, total 83 accessions were collected from Xinjiang, Liaoning and several other provinces. Their distribution, collection, classification and evaluation were described. According to morphological characteristics, they were classified into eight species, which included T. sinkiangensis Z. M. Mao, T. altaica Pall. ex Spreng., T. iliensis Regel, T. heterophylla Baker, T. buhseana Boiss., T. thianschanica Regel, T. schrenkii Regel and T. edulis (Miq.) Baker. Their phenotypic genetic relationships were analysed and showed that the eight Tulipa species were divided into two groups: Group I included one species T. edulis, and Group II included the other seven species. Bulb renewal was observed in eight wild Tulipa species; T. iliensis and T. edulis showed that one or more long fleshy stolons formed horizontally or vertically at the basal plate of the mother bulbs, new bulblets (dropper) appeared at the top of each fleshy stolon, and the mother bulbs eventually disappeared. The analytic hierarchy process was used to evaluate the ornamental value, utilization potential and ecological adaptability of the eight identified species. The results showed that T. iliensis, T. buhseana and T. thianschanica had better ornamental value and utilization potential than any other species. The distribution, collection, classification, and evaluation of wild Tulipa species could be helpful in creating novel tulip germplasms in China.