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.

View a higher magnification image of the lily seed embryo.

A plant embryo is actually an immature plant that is surrounded by stored nutritive materials enveloped in a protective seed coat. The embryo typically consists of embryonic roots (radicles), an embryonic stem (hypocotyl), and leaf-like structures (cotyledons). Lilies are classified as monocots because they produce only a single cotyledon. This embryonic leaf absorbs nutrients from the seed package until the embryo germinates and develops into a seedling that can produce true leaves and generate food through photosynthesis. All seeds encase plant embryos, which remain dormant until activated by water and climate conditions that entice germination.