All About Lilies: Botany, Classification & Growing Guide

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The Lilium Genus: True Lilies

Over 100 species belong to Lilium (family Liliaceae). All are native to the Northern Hemisphere except L. zairii (Africa). The International Lily Register maintains nine horticultural divisions:

1. Asiatic hybrids
2. Martagon hybrids
3. Candidum/European hybrids
4. American hybrids
5. Longiflorum & Formosanum hybrids
6. Trumpet & Aurelian hybrids
7. Oriental hybrids
8. Interdivisional hybrids
9. True species (largest division)

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What Makes a “True” Lily?

Lilium derives from Greek leirion. True lilies are monocotyledonous perennials with scaly bulbs (no protective tunic, no dormancy). False lilies (daylily, peace lily, amaryllis) belong to other genera.

Bulb Anatomy & Types

Bulbs store food, anchor the plant, and produce stem roots for stability. Five structural types:

• Stoloniferous
• Stoloniferous stemmed
• Concentric
• Rhizomatous
• Sub-rhizomatous

Scale color/shape aids species ID. Basal roots pull the bulb deeper over time.

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Foliage & Flowers

Leaves: scattered, alternate, or whorled; linear to broad; glossy or hairy. Some produce bulbils in leaf axils for propagation (L. lancifolium).

Inflorescence patterns: umbel, composite umbel, raceme, composite raceme. Flower shapes: Turk’s cap, trumpet, bowl. Colors from carotene (yellow), flavine (pale yellow), anthocyanins (red/orange). Six tepals (3 sepals + 3 petals).

After pollination, tepals drop, revealing oblong seed pods with hundreds of seeds.

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Garden Uses & Societies

Lilies pair with shrubs, perennials, annuals. Suit tropical, rock, alpine, and cottage gardens. Join the North American Lily Society (NALS) for seed exchanges, shows, and expert community.

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Next: Lilies: A Favorite in Floristry