Abstract:Based on the characteristics of the bulb scales, the advances in researches on the physiological mechanisms in the process of bulb initiation and development in lily (Lilium spp. ) were reviewed in the paper. We concluded the influences of environmental conditions on the formation and growth of bulblet from scaling or in vitro of various species or cultivars of lily. Regarding the p rospect of further research in lily bulb, the metabolism and accumulation of nutrients, the regulation of endogenous hormone or enzymes activities for bulblet differentiation and bulb development were reviewed as well.