Characteristics of the Liliaceae, or Lily family:
Bulbs or Rhizomes: Perennial herb from membranous bulb or scaly rhizome. These underground storage organs allow the plants to survive adverse conditions and produce new shoots when conditions become favorable.
Stem: underground or erect, branched or not.
Leaf: basal or cauline, alternate, subopposite, or whorled.
Inflorescence: raceme, panicle, umbel-like or not.
Flower: 6 Sepals and petals in 2 generally petal-like whorls, often showy; stamens 3 or 6, filaments free or fused to perianth, anthers attached at base or near middle; ovary usually superior, style 1, entire or 3-lobed.
Fruit: capsule or berry.
Seed: 3 to many, flat or angled, brown to black.
Chemical composition: some species contain chemical compounds of medicinal or toxicological importance, such as alkaloids, glycosides, or other secondary metabolites.
Habitat: Liliaceae plants are found in a variety of habitats, including temperate and subtropical regions. They can be found in grasslands, woodlands, and even desert environments.
Jepson video showing a member of the Liliaceae
Jepson key to the family