Definition

Noun 1. A specific species of lily: Lilium lancifolium is the botanical name for a perennial flowering plant native to East Asia, commonly known as the tiger lily. It is characterized by its tall stem, lance-shaped leaves, and distinctive large, nodding flowers. The flowers are typically reddish-orange with numerous dark purple or black spots and have petals that curve strongly backward (are reflexed).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The garden's most striking feature was a cluster of Lilium lancifolium in full bloom.
  • Botanists study Lilium lancifolium for its unique reflexed petal structure.
  • Unlike other lilies, Lilium lancifolium often propagates using aerial bulbils that form in the leaf axils.

Advanced Usage

• In Botanical Classification: The name is always written in italics, with the genus () capitalized and the species epithet () in lowercase. It is the formal, scientific name used to precisely identify this species worldwide, avoiding confusion with common names.
  • The specimen was correctly identified as Lilium lancifolium.

Variants and Related Words

• Tiger Lily (n): The most common English name for .
  • The tiger lily (Lilium lancifolium) is a popular garden plant.
• Lanceolate (adj): A botanical term meaning shaped like a lance head, broader at the base and tapering to a point. This describes the leaf shape referenced in the species name (meaning "lance-leaved").
  • The plant has lanceolate leaves.

Synonyms

• Tiger Lily: The standard common name.
• Lilium tigrinum: An older, synonymous botanical name that is sometimes still used.

Notes on Meaning

• The term refers exclusively to this specific botanical species. It is not a general term for any orange or spotted lily. The key identifying features are its reflexed petals (curving backward), conspicuous dark spots, and production of aerial bulbils.

Noun

1. east Asian perennial having large reddish-orange black-spotted flowers with reflexed petals