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Liliaceae
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tulip Columbia lily
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tulip
tulip A tulip (Tulipa) in flower.

Liliaceae

plant family
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Also known as: lily family
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Article History
Columbia lily
Columbia lilyColumbia lily (Lilium columbianum) in North Cascades National Park, Washington.

Liliaceae, the lily family of the flowering plant order Liliales, with 16 genera and 635 species of herbs and shrubs, native primarily to temperate and subtropical regions. Members of the family usually have six-segmented flowers and three-chambered capsular fruits; occasionally the fruits are berries. The leaves usually have parallel veins and are clustered at the base of the plant but may alternate along the stem or be arranged in whorls. Most species have an underground storage structure, such as a bulb.

The family is important for its many garden ornamentals and houseplants, especially Erythronium, fritillary (Fritillaria), lily (Lilium), and tulip (Tulipa).

This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.