corn lily

noun

1. any of several plants of the genus Ixia, of the iris family, native to southern Africa, having spikes of flowers and grown as an ornamental.
2. a woodland plant, Clintonia borealis, of the lily family, native to eastern and midwestern North America, having broad leaves, nodding yellowish-green flowers, and dark-blue berries.

corn lily

noun

1. any of several South African iridaceous plants of the genus Ixia, which have coloured lily-like flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of corn lily¹

An Americanism dating back to 1945–50