Liliaceae

The lily family, Liliaceae, consists of about 15 genera and 610 species of flowering plants within the order Liliales. They are monocotyledonous, perennial, herbaceous geophytes, often growing from bulbs although some have rhizomes. The leaves are linear in shape, with their veins usually arranged parallel to the edges, single and arranged alternating on the stem, or in a rosette at the base. The flowers are large with six colored or patterned petaloid tepals (undifferentiated petals and sepals) arranged in two whorls of three, six stamens and a superior ovary. The fruit can be a berry or capsule, with seeds dispersed by animals or wind, respectively.

First described in 1789, the lily family became a paraphyletic "catch-all" (wastebasket) group of lilioid monocots that did not fit into other families and included many genera now included in other families (and in some cases in other orders). Consequently, treatments of "Liliaceae" often include these other taxa. The family likely evolved between 82 and 52 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous to Early Paleogene periods. Plants in this family have evolved with a fair amount of morphological diversity despite their genetic similarity.

Liliaceae are widely distributed, mainly in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and the flowers are insect pollinated. Most of their genera, Lilium in particular, face considerable herbivory pressure from deer in some areas, both wild and domestic. Many Liliaceae are important ornamental plants, grown for their attractive flowers and involved in a major floriculture of cut flowers and dry bulbs. Some species are poisonous if eaten and can have adverse health effects in humans and household pets. Some species have been used as famine food. Lilies and tulips have symbolic and decorative value, appearing frequently in paintings and the decorative arts.