LILIACEAE

LILY FAMILY

Dale W. McNeal, except as specified

Perennial to trees, from membranous bulb, fibrous corm, scaly rhizome, or erect caudex
Stem generally underground
Leaves generally basal, often withering early, alternate, generally ± linear
Inflorescence various, generally bracted
Flower generally bisexual, generally radial; perianth often showy, segments generally 6 in two petal-like whorls (outer sometimes sepal-like), free or fused at base; stamens 6 (or 3 + generally 3 ± petal-like staminodes), filaments sometimes attached to perianth or fused into a tube or crown; ovary superior or inferior, chambers 3, placentas generally axile, style generally 1, stigmas generally 3
Fruit: generally capsule, loculicidal or septicidal (berry or nut)
Genera in family: ± 300 genera, 4600 species: especially ± dry temp and subtropical; many cultivated for ornamental or food; some TOXIC. Here includes genera sometimes treated in Agavaceae, Amaryllidaceae, and other families.

LILIUM

LILY

Mark W. Skinner

Perennial from bulb-like, scaly rhizomes (called bulbs), generally not clonal, ± glabrous
Stem erect
Leaves ± whorled (often some scattered), sessile, generally ± elliptic; veins generally 3; stipule 0
Inflorescence: flowers axillary, 1–40+; bracts generally 2 per flower
Flower generally radial, generally bell- or trumpet-shaped; perianth segments 6 in 2 petal-like whorls, outer generally ± clawed, generally red-purple-spotted on inner base; stamens 6, anthers attached near middle (measures are after dehiscence); style 1, stigma 3-lobed
Fruit: capsule, erect, generally ± smooth, loculicidal
Seeds many, flat, in 6 stacks
Species in genus: ± 90 species: n temp, tropical mtns of e Asia
Etymology: (Greek: lily)
Reference: [Skinner 1988 PhD Harvard Univ]
Variable; hybridization common. Many species declining from habitat destruction and collecting; few thrive in gardens. Generally flowers May to Aug.

Native

L. parryi S. Watson

LEMON LILY

Plant < 2.5 m; bulb horizontal, rhizome-like, scales (0)2(4)-segmented, longest 9–37 mm
Leaves in 1–8 whorls (or scattered in young plants), 7–29 cm, sometimes narrowly linear; margin not wavy
Inflorescence: flowers 1–31, horizontal or ± nodding
Flower generally slightly bilateral, trumpet-shaped, strongly fragrant; perianth segments 7–11 cm, 40% recurved (outer < inner), ± oblanceolate, bright yellow, maroon spots generally sparse, minute; stamens ± = perianth, filaments ± parallel, anthers 8–14 mm, pale magenta-brown, pollen rusty- or brown-orange; pistil 5–10 cm
Fruit 4–6 cm
Chromosomes: 2n=24
Ecology: Meadows, streams in montane coniferous forest
Elevation: 1300–2600 m.
Bioregional distribution: Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges
Horticultural information: In cultivation.