Lilium
/ˈlɪli.əm/noun
A genus of flowering plants known as lilies.
Did you know?Latin lilium is the source of the scientific genus name for lilies, and its deeper pre-Latin origin is uncertain, which is exactly why this flower’s name has long felt ancient and almost enchanted.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Grk
leírion
“A lily or lily-like flower.”
Classical Latin
Lat
lilium
“A lily.”
Late Latin
Lat
lili-
“The stem used in later botanical and Romance forms.”
Old English
Eng
lilie
“A lily.”
Modern English
Eng
lily
“A flowering plant of the genus Lilium.”