Hypogeal lilies evolved in harsher habitats where it would be advantageous to store food in a bulb, and later send up leaves in the spring.
[1] Asiatic lilies include species of Lilium lancifolium (syn.tigrinum), L. cernuum, L. davidii, L. maximowiczii, L. macultum, L. hollandicum, L. amabile, L. pumilum, L. concolor, and L. bulbiferum.
Epigeal trumpet lily species are L. leucanthum, L. regale, L. sargentiae, L. sulphureum, L. rosthornii and L. henryi.
Epigeal lilies germinate under moist, warm conditions (approximately 70°F) in one stage, taking about 14 days.
Double hypogeal lilies are the hardest to germinate and need multiple alternating periods of warm and cold.