Family Liliaceae
Synonyms: Calochortaceae APNI*
Tricyrtidaceae APNI*
Description: Erect perennial herbs with bulb; bulb tunicated or not; the erect stem with 1–numerous leaves.
Leaves usually alternate; lamina flat, dorsiventral, longitudinally veined, base often sheathing.
Inflorescence usually terminal on cauline stem, pedunculate, a raceme or umbel-like or flowers solitary. Flowers generally actinomorphic, 3-merous, bisexual. Tepals petaloid, 6 in 2 whorls, usually similar, free. Nectaries present on the tepal bases. Stamens usually 6; filaments free; anthers epipeltate [or pseudobasifixed], introrse or extrorse, dehiscing by pores or longitudinal slits. Ovary superior, 3-locular; ovules several–many per loculus; style short to long, apically 3-lobed or with 3 stigmatic crests.
Fruit a loculicidal capsule; seeds several–many, usually flat and disc-shaped.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 15 genera, c. 700 species, Europe & Asia. Australia: 1 genus, 3 species, N.S.W., Vic., W.A.
External links:
Angiosperm Phylogeny Website (Family: Liliaceae, Order: Liliales)
Wikipedia Many species of Tulipa (tulips) and Lilium (lilies) are widely cultivated in cooler climates for their spring-flowering displays. Amongst the ornamentals commonly grown many are horticulturally developed hybrids and cultivars. Liliaceae s. lat. often has encompassed many genera and species (c. 300 gen, 4550 species) that in this Flora are placed in numerous segregate families. Ref. Dahlgren et al (1985)
Text by G.J. Harden. Updated by R.L. Barrett Apr. 2021.
Taxon concept:
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