asiatic lily
asiatic lily Lexical Profile
• noun
A popular, early-blooming hybrid cultivar of true lily (genus Lilium), bred from several species native to Asia, recognized for its cold hardiness, strong unbranched stems, and large, unscented, brightly colored flowers that generally face upward.
"The gardener planted a vibrant row of Asiatic lilies along the border, ensuring a brilliant display of orange and yellow blossoms by early summer."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often confused with Oriental lilies; however, Asiatic lilies typically bloom earlier in the summer, feature flowers that face upward, and notably lack a strong fragrance.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the proper adjective 'Asiatic' (from Latin Asiaticus, referring to the parent species' native geographic origins in central and eastern Asia) and the noun 'lily' (from Old English lilie, ultimately from Latin lilium).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.