Shade-dwelling genera usually have broader leaves with smooth edges and net venation, and fleshy fruits with animal-dispersed seeds, , and small, inconspicuous flowers while genera native to sunny habitats usually have narrow, parallel-veined leaves, fruits with wind-dispersed seeds, bulbs, and large, visually conspicuous flowers.
Most cool temperate species are and dormant in winter in their native environment.
Within the Lilioideae, Clintonia and the closely related Medeola form a subclade, and are now considered a separate tribe.