[5] The funnel-shaped flower,[3] has six pointy petals that open out like a star similar to water lilies, hence the common name.

[5][3][4] The Latin specific epithet kaufmanniana refers to Konstantin von Kaufman (1818–1882) who was the first Governor-General of Russian Turkestan where the tulip was found.

It was first found in Turkestan,[9][10] and then published and described by Eduard August von Regel in his botanical magazine 'Gartenflora' Vol.26 on page 194 in 1877.

[12] It has naturalised between southern Europe, North Africa, and Asia from Anatolia and Iran in the west to northeast of China.

[6] Their leaves often have dashes and streaks of purple, which show the influence of Tulipa greigii in the breeding programmes.

[14] The cultivars 'Ancilla', 'Early Harvest', 'Showwinner' (deep red[5]) and 'Stresa' have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

[15][16][17][18] Two other Group 12 cultivars are listed by the RHS as gaining the Award of Garden Merit, 'Alfred Cortot' and 'Glück'.

[19][20] Other known hybrids include 'Heart's Delight', a soft pink with an orange-yellow eye, the clear yellow 'Chopin' and white 'Concerto'.