Washington lily

noun

1. a lily, Lilium washingtonianum, of the western coast of the U.S., having whorled leaves and fragrant, purple-spotted white flowers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Washington lily¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70

Example Sentences

This is the most charming of all our Californian lilies, even surpassing in loveliness the beautiful Washington lily; and it is said to be the most fragrant of any in the world.

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It resembles the Washington lily; but its flowers are fuller in form, with wider petals and shorter tube, and it has a smaller bulb.

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Found the white fragrant Washington lily, the finest of all the Sierra lilies.

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Only here and there a Washington lily may be seen nodding above its even surface, or a bunch or two of tall bromus as if for ornament.

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Up in the mountain pines a snowy white Washington lily sometimes covers a mountain side with its tall stems bearing dozens of sweet waxen blossoms.

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