tiger lily
tiger lily Lexical Profile
• noun
A bulbous herbaceous perennial plant (Lilium lancifolium) in the lily family, native to East Asia, characterized by its showy, bright orange flowers with sharply recurved petals and prominent dark spots.
"We planted a row of tiger lilies along the garden fence to add a burst of bright orange color in midsummer."
North American Any of several wild lilies (such as Lilium columbianum) native to North America that strongly resemble the Asian tiger lily, typically featuring nodding, orange or yellow petals heavily speckled with brown.
"While hiking through the Pacific Northwest, she spotted a vibrant tiger lily blooming near the edge of the creek."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the early 19th century, the plant was named 'tiger lily' because its striking orange color and prominent dark spots resemble the coat of a tiger.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.