Lilium [unranked] Cardiocrinum Endlicher, Gen. Pl. 141. 1836.

Herbs perennial, bulbiferous. Bulb formed by swollen base of usually deciduous basal leaves; bulbels several, ovoid, covered with tunics. Stem very tall, stout, glabrous. Leaves basal and cauline, petiolate, usually ovate-cordate, reticulate veined. Inflorescence a terminal raceme, several to many flowered; bracts persistent or caducous. Flowers bisexual, tubular-funnelform, large; pedicel rather short. Tepals 6, free, ± connivent. Stamens 6, inserted at base of tepals; filaments flat; anthers dorsifixed, versatile, narrowly ellipsoid. Ovary cylindric, 3-loculed; ovules many per locule. Style elongate; stigma slightly 3-lobed. Fruit a loculicidal capsule. Seeds reddish brown, flat, narrowly winged all round.

Three species: Bhutan, China, India, Japan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sikkim; two species (one endemic) in China.

(Authors: Liang Songyun (梁松筠 Liang Song-jun); Minoru N. Tamura)