The lily family Liliaceae is comprised of more than 250 genera and about 4,000 species of mostly herbaceous flowering plants, but the name lily is most frequently applied to the 80 - 100 species belonging to the genus Lilium. The most popular lilies, prized as ornamentals, are fragrant and grow showy flowers that have petals usually flecked with dark specks.

The lily, with its definitive reproductive stages, is a favored specimen in microscopy for illustrating normal cell division. Of special interest are cross sections illustrating the anthers at different stages of development, enabling the observer to follow the evolution of microspore mother cells into mature pollen grains.

Most members of the lily family are herb-like and are characterized by bulbs, or enlarged underground storage organs, which give rise to fleshy stems and erect narrow grass-like leaves. Many also 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 leeks. Additionally, the bulb of the Madonna Lily was cultivated as early as the second millennium, B.C., for use as a medicinal ointment in Asia Minor.