It is a flowering Lil that is harvested as the bulb matures into a round white ball-shaped vegetable. The Lily Bulb is most often prepared for use in Asian soups, stews, cooked cereals (porridge), and various vegetable dishes, providing a tender texture with a delicate, sweet flavor.

It is a food that is commonly considered by the Chinese as a health food to provide relief from heart and lung ailments.