Cultivar derived from Tulipa greigii, a bulbous perennial of the Liliaceae family. The type species is native to Central Asia, mainly from Kazakhstan and the regions of the western Tian Shan, where it grows on rocky slopes and well-drained steppes.
Tulipa greigii and its cultivars are recognizable by their characteristic foliage, broadly oval, spread almost flat, medium green streaked and marbled with purple-brown bands, often very pronounced. This decorative foliage alone is one of the signatures of the group. 'Pinocchio' reaches 20 to 25 cm in height, with a compact and stocky habit.
The flower opens widely in a star shape with six very spread out pointed tepals, bright red to red-orange on the inner face, with a wide creamy white border that follows the contour of each tepal and rises towards the tip. The center reveals a black blotch surrounded by yellow, with stamens having strong yellow-orange anthers. The contrast between the intense red and the white edging gives the open flower a particularly clean and graphic appearance.
In its natural habitat, the type species blooms from April to May. In cultivation, 'Pinocchio' blooms in March-April depending on conditions.
It requires well-drained soil, full sun, and some summer dryness to ensure proper bulb maturation. Excellent in rock gardens, in containers or pots under cold shelter, where the marbled foliage can be fully appreciated from emergence.