Which lilies are not true lilies?
Daylily, water lily, voodoo lily – many flowers are called lilies that are not true lilies, members of the genus Lilium.
Despite its name, Lily of the Valley is technically not a lily. Scientifically part of the asparagus family, Asparagaceae, meaning its leaves are reduced to small clusters on one side of the stalk, and the green stems act as the primary structure of the plant.
Don't confuse Daylilies with the true lilies
Daylilies are not really "lilies." In fact, they are quite different. As you know, true lilies grow on tall stems with flowers at the top. Daylily flower stems (called "scapes") are generally much shorter, and grow from a fountain of grass-like foliage at ground level.
All true lilies are grown from a bulb of overlapping scales. There are about 100 species of lilies, but lilies are generally defined by their classification, such as Asiatic, Oriental, and Martagon (Turk's cap).
orientalis), Japanese show lilies (L. speciosum), and Asiatic lilies (variety of Lilium species) are all true lilies.
Thus, lilies represent rebirth and hope, just as the resurrection does in the Christian faith. Lilies are also mentioned or alluded to several times in the Bible. Some think that it was white lilies that sprouted in the Garden of Eden as Eve's remorseful tears fell to the ground.
Mentioned many times in the Bible, the white lily symbolizes purity, rebirth, new beginnings and hope and is most often associated with the resurrection of Jesus Christ as observed on Easter.
Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
True lilies are in the genus Lilium, and they grow from true bulbs. Some other common plants, such as daylilies and canna lilies, may have the term “lily” in their common name, but they're not actually lilies at all. They grow from tubers, not bulbs, and they're in a different plant genus.
An easy way to differentiate between the two is to check out their leaves. The leaves of a daylily plant look like grass blades growing from a clump. On the other hand, lilies will have leaves growing the entire height of the central stem. They will appear as whorls or spirals.
What does a true lily look like?
True lilies have relatively narrow strap-like leaves along the length of their stiff upright stems. Their flowers develop at the tip of each stem. The flowers can be trumpet-shaped, bowl-shaped or bell-shaped with reflexed petals, meaning they curve back toward the stems.
Asiatic, Aurelian and Oriental hybrids are probably the most popular types of lilies found in American gardens.
The world's tiniest and rarest water lily, nymphaea thermarum, in the Missouri Botanical Garden's greenhouse. Nymphaea thermarum on display in one of the Missouri Botanical Garden's outdoor pools.
Tiger Lilies are in fact usually hybrids of a cross between the species tigrinum or lancifolium and an asiatic hybrid. A true tiger lily is now considered to be of the species lancifolium. They reproduce prolifically, especially along the stem...
Lilium 'Stargazer' (the 'Stargazer lily') is a hybrid lily of the 'Oriental group'. Oriental lilies are known for their fragrant perfume, blooming mid-to-late summer. Stargazers are easy to grow and do best in full sunlight.
There are many hybrids of lilies but the most common choice is between Asiatic Lilies & Oriental Lilies. One of the most common questions asked is “Are Asiatic & Oriental Lilies the same?” Well, No they are two different types of lilies. It is a common perception since they look similar.
The LA name comes from the first letters of the two species, longiflorum and asiatica. These lilies have attributes of both types of lilies, the much broader range in flower color, found in the Asiatics with the larger flower size and some of the fragrance found in the Easter lilies.
Lilium canadense, also known as the wild yellow-lily or meadow lily (because it's often found there), has downward-facing flowers that are yellow on the outside with a contrasting maroonish coloring on the inside. These unique blooms are easily recognizable for their curved petals and downward-facing position.
Hemerocallis fulva, the orange day-lily, tawny daylily, corn lily, tiger daylily, fulvous daylily, ditch lily or Fourth of July lily (also railroad daylily, roadside daylily, outhouse lily, and wash-house lily), is a species of daylily native to Asia.
| Zantedeschia aethiopica | |
|---|---|
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Alismatales |
| Family: | Araceae |
| Genus: | Zantedeschia |
What is the difference between Oriental lilies and Asiatic lilies?
The first and easiest way to distinguish between these two types of lilies is to ask when they produce flowers. The typical timing for bloom of Asiatic lilies is in late spring and early summer (June and July). On the other hand, Oriental lilies blooms come on in late summer (August and September).
Daylilies vs Lilies
A member of the plant family Liliaceae (Lily), Asiatic lilies are native to Japan and China. Daylilies are not true lilies, although they are also native to Asia, belonging to the genus Hemerocallis. Asiatic lilies thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 3 through 10.
True lilies have relatively narrow strap-like leaves along the length of their stiff upright stems. Their flowers develop at the tip of each stem. The flowers can be trumpet-shaped, bowl-shaped or bell-shaped with reflexed petals, meaning they curve back toward the stems.
A lily will always have six petals. An easy way to differentiate between the two is to check out their leaves. The leaves of a daylily plant look like grass blades growing from a clump. On the other hand, lilies will have leaves growing the entire height of the central stem.
Lilium 'Stargazer' (the 'Stargazer lily') is a hybrid lily of the 'Oriental group'. Oriental lilies are known for their fragrant perfume, blooming mid-to-late summer. Stargazers are easy to grow and do best in full sunlight.
Oriental lilies
Of all the types of lilies, Oriental lilies are among the most fragrant. The heady perfume produced by the flowers is particularly strong in the evening. Oriental lilies have broader leaves than some other varieties of lilies, and the foliage and flowers are deer and rabbit resistant.
Eucomis comosa 'Sparkling Burgundy' is a tender bulb in New England (hardy in Zones 8–11) and is sometimes called pineapple lily. The foliage is a rosette of dark burgundy straplike leaves. It can be 24 inches wide, with a flower stalk of 20 inches or so.
Hemerocallis fulva, the orange day-lily, tawny daylily, corn lily, tiger daylily, fulvous daylily, ditch lily or Fourth of July lily (also railroad daylily, roadside daylily, outhouse lily, and wash-house lily), is a species of daylily native to Asia.
Day lilies are smaller and have shorter stems than tiger lilies. The growth habits and root systems of the two plants are different, but both are easy to grow and care for, and easy to propagate. Daylilies and tiger lilies both do well in most types of gardens, and both need moist soil with good drainage.
Easter lilies are classified as “long-day plants”. These plants bloom when they receive more than 12 hours of light. Easter lilies naturally flower in August. To over come the long day requirements of Easter lilies to flower can be done by a cooling period.
What is the most common lily?
Asiatic, Aurelian and Oriental hybrids are probably the most popular types of lilies found in American gardens.
Lilium canadense, also known as the wild yellow-lily or meadow lily (because it's often found there), has downward-facing flowers that are yellow on the outside with a contrasting maroonish coloring on the inside. These unique blooms are easily recognizable for their curved petals and downward-facing position.
The world's tiniest and rarest water lily, nymphaea thermarum, in the Missouri Botanical Garden's greenhouse. Nymphaea thermarum on display in one of the Missouri Botanical Garden's outdoor pools.
