This member of the Liliaceae* family was given this name by Otto Stapf in 1934. It is found in low mountain forests from Afghanistan to Nepal, growing in a well drained soil with some water and little to some sun. The bulb can grow to four centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to 45 centimetres in height, 90 centimetres with the flowers, which are from pink over lavender to rosy in colour.
The bulb is monocarpic, dying after flowering. However, most species produce numerous bulblets.

The genera name from Greek notho; 'false' and lirion 'lily'. The species name after Dr. Thomas Thomson, a 19th century Scottish naturalist and superintendant of Calcutta Botanic Garden.

This plant is a winter-grower.