Liliaceae

Liliaceae is a family of flowering plants that is part of the order Liliales. This family is also known as the lily family and consists of about 15 genera and 705 known species. Liliaceae are widely distributed across the world, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere in temperate and subtropical regions.

Description

Liliaceae are perennial herbs that grow from bulbs or rhizomes. They have simple, parallel-veined leaves and large, often fragrant flowers. The flowers are usually bisexual and regular, with six tepals and six stamens. The fruit is a capsule or a berry.

Taxonomy

The family Liliaceae was first described by Michel Adanson in 1763. The name is derived from the genus Lilium, which is the type genus for this family. The classification of Liliaceae has been a subject of controversy and has undergone significant changes over the years. In the APG IV system, Liliaceae is placed in the order Liliales, in the clade monocots.

Genera

The family Liliaceae includes the following genera:

• Lilium
• Tulipa
• Fritillaria
• Erythronium
• Gagea
• Cardiocrinum

Uses

Many species of Liliaceae are grown for their ornamental flowers, including lilies, tulips, and fritillaries. Some species are also used in traditional medicine.

See also

• List of Liliaceae genera

External links

• The Plant List: Liliaceae
• Missouri Botanical Garden: Liliaceae

• 
  Scarlet Lily Beetle (Lilioceris lilii)
• 
  Semper Augustus Tulip, 17th century
• 
  Lilium lancifolium bulbils
• 
  Liliaceae seeds
• 
  Fleur de lys
• 
  Liliaceae
• 
  Dish with a spray of tulips, roses, and hyacinths, Turkey, Iznik, about 1600 AD