Tulipa humilis is a very variable species in both size and the appearance of the flowers. Several different names used in horticulture refer to this species. According to Christenhusz et al., the following should be included in T. humilis:[8]
Tulipa aucheriana Baker – wild plants are T. humilis var. aucheriana, cultivated plants can be treated as a cultivar group, T. humilis Aucheriana Group
Tulipa kurdica Wendelbo – T. humilis var. kurdica
Tulipa pulchella (Regel) Baker – wild plants are T. humilis var. pulchella, cultivated plants T. humilis Pulchella Group
Tulipa violacea Boiss. & Buhse – wild plants are T. humilis var. violacea, cultivated plants T. humilis Violacea Group