type of lily crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com! If you're looking for solutions to the clue "type of lily," you've come to the right place. We provide quick and comprehensive answers, broken down by letter count, along with helpful explanations to boost your crossword-solving skills.
Solutions for "type of lily crossword clue" by Letter Count
5 Letters
CALLA: A popular ornamental plant often referred to as a lily, though botanically it belongs to the Araceae family.
ASIAN: Refers to a common group of hybrid lilies, known for their vibrant colors and hardiness, popular in gardens.
7 Letters
DAYLILY: A widely cultivated plant that, despite its name, is not a true lily but a member of the genus Hemerocallis, known for flowers that typically last only one day.
8 Letters
ORIENTAL: A popular group of hybrid lilies known for their large, very fragrant flowers, such as the famous 'Stargazer'.
9 Letters
TIGERLILY: A striking lily species (Lilium tigrinum) with distinctive orange petals covered in dark spots, resembling a tiger's stripes.
WATERLILY: An aquatic plant (genus Nymphaea) known for its beautiful floating leaves and large, showy flowers, commonly referred to as a lily but not botanically a true lily.
10 Letters
EASTERLILY: A traditional white trumpet-shaped lily (Lilium longiflorum) often associated with the Easter holiday.
More About "type of lily crossword clue"
The term "lily" in common language is quite broad, encompassing many beautiful flowering plants. However, in botany, a "true lily" specifically refers to plants of the genus Lilium. Crossword puzzles often play on this distinction, using both true lilies and other plants commonly known by the name "lily" like the Calla lily or Daylily.
True lilies are perennial flowering plants growing from bulbs, characterized by their large, often fragrant flowers that come in a vast array of colors and shapes. Examples include Asiatic lilies, Oriental lilies (like the Stargazer), and Trumpet lilies. They are beloved for their elegance and often appear in gardens and floral arrangements.
Understanding this nuance between botanical classification and common nomenclature is key to solving "type of lily" clues. Always consider the letter count, and think about both the strictly botanical members of the Liliaceae family and the many other "lily-like" plants that share the common name.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Check Letter Count First: Always match the known letters in your grid with the possible answer lengths. This is the fastest way to narrow down options for clues like "type of lily".
- Consider Common Usage: For plant and animal clues, crosswords often use the most common names, even if they aren't strictly botanically or zoologically accurate. Daylily and Waterlily are prime examples of this.
- Look for Adjectival Clues: Clues like "Oriental lily" or "Asiatic lily" often hint directly at a specific type, potentially making the answer itself an adjective like ORIENTAL or ASIAN, especially if the word "lily" isn't part of the answer itself.
- Cross-Reference: Use intersecting words to confirm letters. If a potential answer fits the "type of lily" clue but doesn't line up with crossing words, it's likely incorrect.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all plants called 'lilies' true lilies?
No, many plants commonly referred to as 'lilies' are not true lilies (genus Lilium). Examples include daylilies (Hemerocallis), waterlilies (Nymphaea), Calla lilies (Zantedeschia), and even peace lilies (Spathiphyllum). True lilies belong to the Liliaceae family.
What are common characteristics of true lilies?
True lilies typically grow from bulbs and have large, often trumpet-shaped or star-shaped flowers with six petals. They come in a wide range of colors and many are highly fragrant. Their leaves are usually linear or lance-shaped, arranged alternately along the stem.
How can I distinguish true lilies from other 'lily-like' plants in crosswords?
When a crossword clue asks for a 'type of lily', consider both true lilies (like ASIAN, ORIENTAL, TIGERLILY) and common 'false' lilies (like DAYLILY, WATERLILY, CALLA) which are frequently used in puzzles due to their widespread recognition. The number of letters and any crossing letters will be your best guide to the intended answer.