Lilium

The plants of the genus Lilium are the true lily plants, comprising a genus of about 100 species in the lily family, Liliaceae. They are vital as showy and large flowered garden plants, and in literature. Lilies are inhabitant to the northern temperate regions. Their range in the Old World extends across much of Europe, the north Mediterranean, across most of Asia to Japan, south to the Nilgiri Mountains in India, and south to the Philippines. In the New World they expand from southern Canada through much of the United States. A few species formerly included within this genus have now been placed in other genera.

These include Cardio crinum and Nomocharis. They are commonly modified to either woodland habitats, often montane, or sometimes to grassland habitats. A few can survive in marshland and a single one is known to live as an epiphyte. In general they prefer moderately acidic or lime-free soils.