Lily

Lily

　　Also known as curled lotus, lilies belong to the Liliaceae family and are perennial herbaceous plants. They have flat, round, white bulbs underground with fleshy, thick scales. In early spring each year, flower stems emerge from the bulbs, and sometimes bulbils grow in the leaf axils. The flowers bloom in summer, with six orange-red tepals. The leaves of the lily are lanceolate and oblong. The flowering period is from June to July, and the fruiting period is from August to September. Lilies prefer to grow in mountain meadows, forest valleys, and moist grasslands. Lily flowers are ornamental, and the bulbs contain various alkaloid compounds that can be used medicinally. They are slightly cold in nature, sweet in taste, and have the functions of moistening the lungs to relieve coughs and calming the heart to soothe the nerves.