Lily Embryo, Specimen 2

Lily is the common name for the family of Liliaceae and comprises more than 4000 species of flowering plants. Revered for thousands of years as a symbol of purity, many lilies are cultivated as highly prized ornamental plants including tulips, true lilies, daffodils, hyacinths, and amaryllis. Most members of the lily family are herb-like and are characterized by bulbs or enlarged underground storage organs that give rise to fleshy stems and erect narrow grass-like leaves -- many display beautiful showy flowers. Several species within this large family are cultivated as food crops and include such staple culinary ingredients as onions, shallots, garlic, chives, and leaks.

A higher magnification image sequence captured with a 60x oil-immersion objective.