Tulip
description: tulip likely originated in Persia, and was first brought to the Netherlands in 1594 for the Hortus Botanicus in Leiden; the Tulip Breaking Virus caused the distinctive stripes—making those bulbs particularly rare—although the flowers died after only a few blooms; these flowers were part of “tulip mania,” the dramatic increase then collapse of the tulip market in the 1630s
date: mid-March to late May
identifier: Tulipa gesneriana with Tulip Breaking Virus of the genus Potyvirus