In this study,the antioxidant activities of the polyphenolic compounds in the bulbs of three Lilium species(L.concolor,L.pumilum and L.davidii var.unicolor) were investigated with a view to their exploitation as a potential source of natural antioxidants.The polyphenolic contents,antioxidant activities(ABTS+scavenging activity,superoxide radical scavenging activity,hydroxyl radical scavenging activity,cupric-reducing reducing capacity and lipoperoxidation activity) and 11 monomeric phenolic contents were analyzed.The results showed that total polyphenolics content and antioxidant activities of two wild Lilium species were significantly higher than those of L.davidii var.unicolor.Although the composition of monomeric phenolics from the bulbs of three Lilium species were not identical,the gallic acid,cyanidin 3-rutinoside chloride,(+)-catechin,(-)-epicatechin,myricetin,rutin,p-coumaric acid and kaempferol were present in all these species.Furthermore,the polyphenolic compounds of bulbs from three Lilium species exhibited a significant positive correlation with ABTS radical cation scavenging activity,superoxide radical scavenging activity,cupric-reducing antioxidant capacity and lipoperoxidation activity,excepted with hydroxyl radical scavenging activity.These results strongly suggest that wild lily bulbs have more important potential in the development food or medicine resources for their better antioxidant properties.