Did you guess the "Picture of the Week"? It is a bunch of tulips! This was chosen as the "Picture of the Week" because fresh tulips are in season, and we are in the spirit of springtime! The first official day of spring was on Monday, March 20, 2000.

The tulip is a "hardy plant" and is from the lily family. The lily family plants have certain characteristics. First, these plants are perennials (live only for one year). Also, plants from the lily family are known for their showy flowers and grasslike leaves. Lily family plants are grown world-wide but are mostly found in warm tropical climates.

The tulip first originated over a wide geographical area from the Mediterranean to Japan. Tulips are said to have been introduced to Europe from Turkey in 1554.

Tulips are grown from bulbs. Bulbs are formed beneath the soil surface, where they store food from one blooming season to the next.

Tulips are known for their deep cup-shaped design and various rich colors (pictured in the front of this picture are red, deep blue and white tulips). The tulip is certainly a beautiful flower!

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