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Definition of jersey lily
jersey lily
Plural:Jersey lilies
jersey lily Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
11
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A bulbous flowering plant of the amaryllis family (Amaryllis belladonna), native to South Africa, noted for producing large, fragrant, pink trumpet-shaped flowers on bare, leafless stems in late summer or autumn.
Example
"After the strap-like leaves died back in the summer heat, the striking pink blooms of the Jersey lily emerged unexpectedly from the bare soil."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for jersey lilyWord Nuance & Usage
Despite its common name, the Jersey lily is a member of the amaryllis family and not a true lily (genus Lilium).
Word Origin & Etymology
Named for the Channel Island of Jersey, where the plant was historically popularized and cultivated after being introduced from South Africa, combined with 'lily' due to its similar floral shape.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Jersey lily. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/jersey lily