Tulipa Sylvestris

This magnificent plant has flowers that are often tilted at the side, which helps it stand out from its horticultural cousins. Its pointed petals are a fine gold colour. The leaves are very light green, straight and long. The species is protected throughout France, and cannot be found at the florist’s, but only in or around fields. The bulbs have suffered from the increasing use of tractors and the deeper ploughing that results. The flower has greatly fallen in numbers and only grows in land where farming practices are still gentle, without pesticides or deep ploughing.