[6] This tulip species was originally found in Turkestan,[7] and then published and described by Eduard August von Regel in Gartenflora Vol.22 on page 290 in 1873.

[3] Tulipa greigii typically grows 8–12 in (20–30 cm) tall, they have single flowers with a bowl-like shape, blooming in early to mid-spring.

They also have spotted and striped leaves and the flowers are quite large, up to 4 in (102 mm) wide.

The blooms are more limited in colour shades than with other tulips, ranging from red and yellow to white.

Its cultivars 'Oratorio',[9] 'Plaisir',[10] 'Red Riding Hood',[11] 'Toronto',[12] and 'United States' have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.