PLANT OF THE MONTH
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Liliaceae (Lily family)
The Conservatory loves you!
The Lily family is a large and diverse group of almost 4,000 species in more than 280 genera. All are perennials having bulbs, rhizomes or tubers which aid in surviving seasonal fire or drought. Flowers have three petals, three sepals (together they make 6 tepals) with six stamens and one stigma. The flowers produce capsules or berries when pollinated. Many have a dormant period when foliage dies back to the ground during the dry season.
Tulips and lilies are economically important ornamental plants. Agave is used for fiber and food. Easter Lily is an important floral crop worth over 35 million dollars in wholesale value in the US. All Easter Lilies are forced to flower for Easter because lilies bloom in the summer under natural conditions. As Easter falls on a different date every year, the plants are started at different times every year.
Locations in the Conservatory:
Palm House: Aspidistra, Ophiopogon (Mondo Grass)
Seasonal House: Tulips, Daffodils, Easter Lilies, Chlorophytum (Spider Plant), Cordyline, Yucca, Sansevieria
Cactus House: Agave, Beaucarnia (Ponytail Palm)
Fern House: Asparagus Fern, Veltheimia (Cape Lily), Agapanthus
