Frogleg wrote:

"They originate from Asia, their prime genetic centre being in the
Tien-Shan and Pamir Alai mountain ranges, near modern Islamabad, close
to the border of Russia and China. Tulips spread from these areas to
other regions, including China and Mongolia and a secondary genetic
centre was developed in Azerbaijan and Armenia."

Yep, they're actually a type of lily. If their petals opened all the
way, they'd look like lilies. In fact, Dutch Gardens actually has some
tulips that *do* in fact open way up and look like lilies:

http://www.dutchgardens.com/sell.asp?ProdGroupID=16591

....which they say behaves like a perennial in the USA.