What is the common name for Lilium candidum?

The common name for Lilium candidum is Madonna lily.

This fragrant true lily produces pure white, trumpet-shaped flowers with yellowish throats. It is native to the Balkans and the Middle East, but cultivation has spread it widely, and naturalized populations occur in parts of Europe, North Africa, Mexico and elsewhere.

The Madonna lily has been grown for at least 3,000 years. It appears in ancient Minoan art, including frescoes associated with Knossos, and later acquired strong Christian symbolism. White lilies became emblems of purity and chastity, especially in depictions of the Annunciation, where the flower is associated with the Virgin Mary.

“Easter lily” is a frequent confusion, but that name usually refers to Lilium longiflorum, a different species. “Tiger lily” and “Asiatic lily” likewise describe other lilies or horticultural groups. The name “white lily” is also used, but Madonna lily is the standard specific common name for Lilium candidum.