What other aliases does the lily have? Let us walk you through its other names.
The lily originates from China, and is widely distributed across the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including eastern Asia, North America and Europe. There are many varieties of lilies; at least 120 species have been discovered so far, and 55 of them are native to China alone. There are also many recently developed hybrid varieties, such as the perfume lily, fire lily and Asiatic lily.
Alternative names
The lily is also called "Shandan, Zhongting, Zhongfenghua" and "Yehehua", among others. It is a perennial herbaceous bulbous plant, belonging to the family Liliaceae and the genus Lilium.
Morphological characteristics
The lily plant is usually about 40-60 cm tall, and at most can reach about 150 cm.
The lily's stem is divided into a bulb and an aboveground stem. The bulb is a pale white sphere, made up of a large number of egg-spoon-shaped, thick and fleshy scales; the aboveground stem is erect and cylindrical, green in overall color, hairless, and usually bears purple spots.
The lily's roots are divided into fleshy roots ("lower plate roots") and fibrous roots ("upper plate roots", "adventitious roots").
The lily flower grows at the top of the stem, both solitary and clustered, and has the characteristics of a large corolla and a long floral tube, generally taking a funnel shape. The flower color is mostly white, but because there are so many varieties, flowers of all kinds of colors can also be seen, and they are very beautiful.
Growth habits
A semi-shaded environment with both sufficient sunlight and moist soil is most favorable for the growth of lilies.
High temperatures and drought are both unfavorable to their growth, and the lily's cold resistance is also relatively weak. A temperature of 16-24°C is the optimal temperature for lily growth; temperatures below 5°C and above 30°C will make lily growth nearly stop, and only above 10°C can normal plant growth be guaranteed.
For soil selection, priority should be given to sufficient fertilizer and humus; never use hard clay, and slightly acidic soil is best; second, ensure good drainage.
Value and uses
Ornamental value: What the public knows most about is the ornamental value of the lily; the lily flower has the reputation of "fairy in cloud garments". Its pure, elegant appearance has made the lily a symbol of the Catholic Mary, and the Vatican has adopted the lily as its national flower, symbolizing the nation's independence and economic prosperity. Because the bulb is formed by many scales coming together, it also gives it the beautiful meanings of "a harmonious union lasting a hundred years" and "everything going as one wishes", and from ancient times to the present it has been an indispensable auspicious flower at Chinese weddings. Whether in parks or on all kinds of occasions, it appears as a precious decorative flower.
Edible value: The lily bulb is rich in starch, and some varieties are regarded as quite good ingredients; in particular, China's Lanzhou lily is especially famous for its edible value. The Lanzhou lily tastes sweet and has a large size, and can be used both to make snacks and to make dishes. Lilies can also be made into dried lily and lily powder.
Medicinal value: The lily also has quite good medicinal value. In traditional Chinese medicine, the effects of the lily include clearing fire, moistening the lungs and calming the mind. Both the flower and the bulb can be used as medicine, so its uses can be said to serve both medicine and food.
Flower language
For Chinese people, the lily has long carried meanings such as "a harmonious union lasting a hundred years", "family harmony" and "everything going as one wishes", with deep connotations of blessing.
In addition, the lily flower also symbolizes a pure and spotless character.
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