Green Lily (Spathiphyllum floribundum) by Janet

Image copyright 2014 Janet Denne

Green flowers are quite unusual in the plant world, but this green lily, photographed by Janet, is very beautiful. 

Spathiphyllum floribundum is also known as the Snow flower or Peace lily.  The true flowers are formed in the centre column (the spadix) and protected by the green outer sheath, known as the spathe.

Artwork by Michelle

Image copyright 2013 Michelle Mabbott

This year Flower by Friends will also feature artwork with flowers - like this gorgeous pastel drawing, "Dreaming of a white lily" by Sydney artist Michelle Mabbott.

Pink Liliums by Margaret

Image copyright Margaret Denne 2013

These beautiful liliums or lillies were photographed as a "still life" by Margaret in Byron Bay.

Formosa Lily by Georgie

Image copyright Georgie Brown 2013

Formosa Lilies photographed in Perth by Georgie. 

Kaffir lily by Frances

Image copyright 2013 Frances Brown

The cliveas (Kaffir lilies) in my garden have bloomed wonderfully this year.

Tiger lily by Liz

Image copyright 2013 Liz Orr

Yellow Lily by Liz

Image copyright 2013 Liz Orr

This pretty soft yellow lily was photographed by Liz in Scotland.

Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily) by Liz

Image copyright 2013 Liz Orr

Alstroemeria is also known as Peruvian lily or Lily of the Incas. These pretty orange flowers originated from South America and have a resemblance to butterflies. 

Flower of the Week - Lily - Arum lily by Georgie

Image copyright 2013 Georgie Brown 

This weeks flower will be the Lily, starting with the Arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) photographed in Perth, Western Australia by Georgie.

Arum lilies, originally from Southern Africa are popular garden plants, and commonly used in floristry. Unfortunately these plants are toxic to humans and animals if ingested, and have been declared an environmental weed in many parts of Australia.

Keep cats away from all lilies, as cats are particularly susceptible to lily poisoning - even ingesting tiny amounts of pollen can be fatal. 

Allium by Liz

Image Copyright 2013 Liz Orr

Alliums, also known as ornamental onions, are grown for their amazing flower heads which come in a variety of sizes and shades of purple, blue, white and yellow. Photographed in Scotland by Liz.

Flame Lily (Gloriosa superba) by Pam

Image copyrights 2013 Pam Borland

Gloriosa or Flame Lily is the national flower of Zimbabwe, where it is a protected plant. Queen Elizabeth II was given a diamond brooch in the shape of a flame lily when she visited Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) as a princess in 1947.

It is also the state flower of Tamil Nadu in India and the national flower of Tamil Eelam.

Across the world they have been cultivated by the pharmaceutical industry as they contain the chemical colchicine. Though beautiful, the flowers and leaves are extremely poisonous, causing death to animals and birds if eaten. They grow from tuberous roots and cause problems if they spread into native bushland.

Gymea Lily by Michelle

Image Copyright 2103 Michelle Mabbott

Photo taken in North western Sydney

Gymea Lily (Doryanthes excelsa) is an Australian native shrub found in the Sydney region and further north. The ruby red flowers (each about 10 cm across) grow in clusters, on tall spikes high above the foliage. They are hard to photograph because the spikes may be up to 4 metres (about 12 feet) in height.                                                                                                                                                           

Water Lily by Michelle

Image Copyright 2013 Michelle Mabbott

Photo taken at "Eden Gardens" in Sydney

Pink Guernsey lily by Georgie

Image Copyright Georgie Brown 2013

Photo taken in Perth, Western Australia