Liliaceae
An extensive order of usually herbaceous perennials, very rarely annuals, sometimes frutescent and arborescent, natives of both temperate and tropical regions. Inflorescence mostly terminal, solitary, racemose, spiked, umbellate, or capitate, rarely panicled, furnished with scarious or spathaceous bracts. Leaves polymorphous, cauline, or radical. Root bulbous tuberous, fibrous-fascicled, or with a creeping rhizome. Liliaceae are remarkable for the beauty of their flowers. The following is a selection of the principal genera culvivated for ornament: Agapanthus, Fritillaria, Funkia, Hemerocallis, Hyacinthus, Lilium, Methonica, Scilla, Tulipa, Urginea, &c. Urginea furnishes a large bulb, which is used medicinally under the name of Squill. Certain species of Aloe yield an extremely bitter resinous juice, much employed in medicine. The genus Allium supplies the Onion, Leek, Chive, Shallot, Rocambole, and Garlic. The order comprises upwards of 180 genera, and about 2500 species.