Lilies can grow to be 1 to 6 feet tall!
A common flower encountered in the Midwest is the lily. Lilies have the scientific name of Lilium, is a Latin word which comes from the Greek word leirion. The Greek word comes from the Egyptian word for Flower. Lilies grow in southern Canada and in much of the United States. They inhabit woodlands and grasslands. They can sometimes be found in marshland and as epiphytes, which means they grow on other plants. The epiphytic lilies are seen in tropical southeast Asia.
Lilies can grow to be 1 to 6 feet tall depending on the species. They grow from bulbs that sit beneath the surface. They will return each year if grown in the right region. The flowers that the lily produces tend to be large and fragrant. They come in many colors: whites, yellows, oranges, purples, reds, and pinks—as seen pictured here. They flower in late spring or summer. This photo was taken at the end of June.
The flowers across the different lily species are uniform in their structure. They have six tepals that spread out to create a funnel shape. The funnel shape is known as a “Turk’s cap”. There is a nectary at the base of each flower at the center of the tepals.
Lilies have long been cultivated. They are known to be used in medicinal ointments dating back to 2000 BCE in Asia minor. The ancient Greeks and Romans grew them for medicinal and ornamental uses. The Madonna lily was used in the Middle Ages in paintings of Mary, and it acts as a symbol of purity.
Lilies are known to be used in medicinal ointments dating back to 2000 BCE in Asia minor
Did you know?
- Many plants have the word lily in their common name that aren’t lilies. Some of these include: lilies of the valley, daylilies, water lilies, spider lilies, and flame lilies.
- There are more than 100 species of lilies.
- Wild lilies have seen their numbers decrease in North America due to the proliferation of deer, which feed on the plants.
- Some species of lilies are toxic to cats.
- The flowers and bulbs of lilies are eaten in some cuisines.
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