What a bulb may be; a variety of tulip (3,2)
I believe the answer is:
lit up
'what a bulb may' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'a variety of tulip' is the wordplay.
'a variety of' is an anagram indicator.
'tulip' anagrammed gives 'LIT UP'.
'be' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for lit up that I've seen before include "bulb so transformed room?" , "Started smoking - being drugged!" , "Illuminated (by drink or drugs?)" , "Flashing" , "like a bulb, perhaps?" .)