Editing Liliaceae (section)

==== Lilies ====
The largest area of production is also the Netherlands, with 76% of the global cultivated area, followed by [[France]], [[Chile]], [[Japan]], the [[United States]], [[New Zealand]] and [[Australia]]. Approximately ten countries produce lilies commercially altogether. About half of the commercial production is for cut flowers. Many of these countries export bulbs as well as supplying the domestic market. The Netherlands produces about 2,200 million lily bulbs annually, of which 96% is used domestically and the remainder exported, principally within the [[European Union]]. One particularly important crop is the production of ''[[Lilium longiflorum]]'', whose white flowers are associated with purity and Easter.<ref name=Sunshine/>

Although many ''Lilium'' species such as ''[[Lilium martagon]]'' and ''[[Lilium candidum]]'' can be obtained commercially, the majority of commercially available lilies represent the products of a very diverse hybridisation program, which has resulted in a separate horticultural classification, including such groupings as Asian, Oriental and Orienpet. In addition to a very wide variety of heights, lilies can be obtained in many colours and combinations of colours, and if properly selected can produce an extensive blooming season from early summer to autumn.<ref name="NALS"/> Because of the history of Liliaceae, many species such as [[Watsonia (plant)|Watsonia]] (bugle lily) that were previously classified in this family bear the name 'lily' but are neither part of the genus ''Lilium'', or the family Liliaceae.