Lilies are the most popular flower in the world. It is found in North America, Asia, Europe and Australia. Lilies are cultivated throughout the world. It is mainly used for decoration purposes and even used for the bloom. White lily is the most common flower used in weddings.
21 Fun Facts about Lilies
1. Lilies are perennial flowers
Lily is a perennial flower; it means they persist for many growing seasons. The top portion of the plant dies every winter and regrows in the spring season. Lilies flower during spring and summer season and they go dormant in the winter season.
2. Germination
Lilies develop from both the seeds as well as bulbs and they grow from anywhere two to six feet in height but it depends on the species.
3. Pollination
Lilies are very useful for pollination because of their large colorful flowers and nectar. Some of the lilies get pollinated by the wind and maximum are pollinated by the bees.
4. Lilies are very colorful flowers
Lilies have large petals that are different in color as per their species such as white, yellow, orange, red, purple or pink color. The Tiger lily got its name because it has an orange color and brown spots.
5. Lilies are social plants
Lilies are called social plants because they grow well in groups. Mainly they grow in a group of three or five plants.
6. Lifespan of Lilies
Lilies have the longest vase life as compared to the other flowers. The professional way to increase its vase life is to clear the pollen from its center and it also prevents staining on the petal.
7. Lilies are poisonous to cats
Lilies are non toxic for human beings but it is toxic for the cats. Smallest amount of exposure to the cat can also cause renal failure.
8. All lilies are not scented
Many people mistake that all the lilies are scented but only white lilies and tiger lilies have the scent which are suitable for indoor plants.
9. Lilies have a diversity of symbolism throughout the world
Different colors of lily symbolize different thoughts. Such as white lilies represent purity, tiger lilies represent confidence or pride, and lilies are also represented as traditional symbols of good luck in China and Japan. In Greek, it is associated with the flower of motherhood. Stargazer pink lilies represent hope for wealth and prosperity. White Peruvian lilies depict devotion.
10. Lilies are used as the edibles
Lilies are toxic for furry animals but it is used in medicine as well as cuisine. It is cultivated in Korea and China as edible bulbs. They are most popular in the northern and central regions. Dried lilies are an ancient laxative or diuretic. To treat stomach disorders and fever woodlily roots are used.
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11. Lilies are also used to cure inflammation and even ulcers
some dried or fresh bulbs have soothing and astringent which are used to cure inflammation and even ulcers.
12. Species
there are more than 100 species of lily that come under the genus lilium. Lilies are growing in almost all shapes and colors.
13. Flowers which are not lilies
These are known as the Calla lilies and water lilies are not lily but they are known as lilies. The Calla lily as its name suggests it belongs to the genus calla. Water lilies belong to the genus nymphaeaceae.
14. 4th most popular flower
Lilies are ranked 4th most popular flower in the globe as it is very beautiful.
15. Size of Lilies
The size of Lilies depends upon their species; they can grow from 0.6 to 1.8 meters or 2 to 6 feet in height. It carries four to eight blossoms sparse foliage is dark green. Blossoms open at various times, many lilies live for one or two weeks.
16. The oil extracted from lilies
The oil extracted from the lilies is very beneficial. It has healing and softening properties so its oil is used for cracks and dry skin.
17. Asiatic hybrid
Asiatic hybrid of lilies that blooms earliest, it is cold, hardy, and less odorous. And it grows very fast but only 4 or 5 inches.
18. Martagon hybrid
Martagon hybrid is also one which is the earliest bloomers. It grows best in cool shady areas and they don’t grow in the hot and humid climate in which small flowers grow which are downward facing.
19. Candidum hybrids
These are trumpet shaped. It grows in bunches form. It grows in late spring or early summer with long-lasting blossoms.
20. American hybrid
This is the tallest growing form of lilies and it also grows in late spring. It grows up to 6 inches. It is also down-facing and curved in shape.
21. Parts of a flower
Lilies have six petals and six stamen with another, as there are some false lilies. They have different numbers of petals and stamen and its anther contains oblong pods with pollen.
Lilies are the most beautiful flowers and because of that, they are ranked as the 4th most popular flowers. The true lilies belong to the Liliaceae family and the Lilium genus. It grows in many places like North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It is non-poisonous for human beings but it can be poisonous for cats and furry animals. It is classified into nine divisions such as American hybrid, candidum hybrids, Martagon hybrid, and Asiatic hybrid, etc.
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