Lily is a flowering plant that belongs to the Liliaceae family. There are hundreds of species of lily, mostly found in the northern hemisphere (Europe, Asia, and North America), with most species growing in temperate and tropical areas. The lily usually inhabits forests, meadows, swamps and mountains. Because of their beauty, lilies are grown all over the world. The lily is mainly used for decorative purposes. The white lily is a symbol of luck in Japan. This type of lily is also an inevitable part of wedding bouquets around the world. Certain wild lily species are threatened by habitat loss from urban development and increased agriculture. Additionally, lilies are susceptible to various bacterial, viral, and fungal diseases.
Here are some interesting Lily Facts:
Some kinds of lilies are toxic to cats. These lilies can damage their kidneys.
Size of a lily depends on the species. It can grow from 2 to 6 feet in height.
The white lily symbolizes simplicity, happiness, and purity.
Lily develops from a bulb that can be located near the surface of the ground or buried deep underground.
Daylilies symbolize romance.
Lily has beautiful, large flower that can be white, yellow, orange, red, purple or pink in color. Flower can be covered with different types of freckles.
Tiger lilies symbolize royalty and wealth.
Each color of the lily has certain meaning. White lily symbolizes purity, daylily coquetry, while tiger lily symbolizes majesty and wealth.
In some countries, some specific species of lilies are cooked. This happens mostly in Asian countries such as China, Japan, and Korea.
Lily flower consists of 6 tepals (fused sepals and petals). Nectar is produced at the base of each leaf.
Chinese believe that lilies are lucky! They are connected with positive Feng Shui decorations.
Lily is dormant during the winter. Flowering takes place during the spring and summer.
Assyrians considered lilies as holy flowers.
Lily attracts insects with its large colorful flowers and tasteful nectar. Certain species of lily are pollinated by wind.
Greeks connect lilies with purity and Holy Mary.
Lily can reproduce from the seed, bulbs and tissue cultures.
Only white lilies have a scent.
Only white and tiger lilies are known by their beautiful smell. Other species of lily are odorless.
Lilies last very long when you put them aside in a vase. If you remove their pollen, they last even more.
Tiger lily is a species of lily that has large, bright yellow flowers with prominent dark spots on the inner side of the petals. Similar coloration is typical for tigers which is why this species is named “tiger lily”.
Asian traditional medicine is being using lilies as a medicine for depression and certain types of toxicities.
Some species of lilies can be used as food. Bulbs of lily contain a lot of starch and they are used as root vegetables. Besides humans, insects, mice, squirrels and deer often eat wild lilies.
Lily needs 6-8 hours of direct sunlight in order to bloom and stay alive.
Lily contains compounds that induce renal failure in cats. Even small amount of pollen can induce poisoning in cats.
Lilies need 1 inch of water each week.
Lily is not poisonous for humans. It is actually widely used in traditional Asian medicine for the treatment of depression and certain types of toxicities.
Every lily has 6 tepals. Tepals are fused sepals and petals.
Lily can survive couple of days in the vase. Removal of the pollen from the flower will prolonged lifespan in the vase and prevent development of stains on the tepals.
Lilies are said to be one of the top ten flowers in the world, which means they’re a popular choice for bouquets and centrepieces.
Lily is perennial plant which means that it can survive more than two years in the wild.
