To which family does the lily belong?

• A. Brassicaceae
• B. Liliaceae
• C. Solanaceae
• D. Asteraceae

Answer: (B)

Lilies are classic monocots with bulbs and flowers built from parts in threes. Their showy blooms typically have six petaloid pieces that look alike (three petals and three sepals counted together as tepals) and six stamens, all patterns that are characteristic of the lily family. This combination of bulbous perennial habit, parallel-veined leaves, and a six-part floral structure fits Liliaceae. In contrast, the other families have distinctly different flower plans: Brassicaceae shows four-petaled cross-shaped blooms and siliques or pods; Solanaceae usually has five-petaled flowers and berries or capsules; Asteraceae features composite heads rather than a single six-part bloom. So, the lily belongs to the lily family.