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Hemerocallis species - .

Author	.	Botanical references	200
Family	Hemerocallidaceae	Genus	Hemerocallis
Synonyms
Known Hazards	Large quantities of the leaves are said to be hallucinogenic. Blanching the leaves removes this hallucinatory component[205]. (This report does not make clear what it means by blanching, it could be excluding light from the growing shoots or immersing in boiling water[K].)
Range	A range of garden hybrids.
Habitat	Not known in the wild.
Edibility Rating	4 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	1 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 1.2m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Cultivars: (as above except)
'Stafford' Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers; Leaves; Root.

Leaves and young shoots - cooked. They have a delicious sweet flavour, but must be consumed when very young or else they become fibrous[K]. Flowers and flower buds - raw or cooked. The quality varies from cultivar to cultivar. All are pleasantly sweet and crunchy, though some leave an unpleasant after-taste in the mouth. In general, those with yellow or scented flowers are less desirable than those with brown to red flowers[K]. Root - raw or cooked.

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Antidote; Diuretic.

The juice of the roots is an effective antidote in cases of arsenic poisoning[205]. A tea made from the boiled roots is used as a diuretic[205].

Other Uses

Weaving.

The tough dried foliage is plaited into cord and used for making footwear[205].

Cultivation details

There are many cultivars of garden origin in this genus that cannot be placed as part of a species simply because they are the result of many generations of hybridization. In general they all have edible flowers, young shoots and roots, though the quality will vary considerably from cultivar to cultivar. The following notes are general for the genus. Succeeds in most soils[1], including dry ones, preferring a rich moist soil[205]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in short grass if the soil is moist[1]. Succeeding in sun or shade, it produces more flowers in a sunny position though these flowers can be shorter-lived in very sunny positions[205]. Prefers a pH between 6 and 7[200]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200]. Individual flowers are very short-lived, they open in the late afternoon and fade in the following morning[205]. Plants take a year or two to become established after being moved[1]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. The plants are very susceptible to slug and snail damage, the young growth in spring is especially at risk[200].

Propagation

Seed - sow in the middle of spring in a greenhouse. Germination is usually fairly rapid and good, pot up the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow the plants on for their first winter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring[K]. Hemerocallis cultivars will not breed true from seed, though seedlings do offer an opportunity to develop superior varieties for eating[K]. Division in spring or after flowering in late summer or autumn[200]. Division is very quick and easy, succeeding at almost any time of the year[K]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Cultivars

'Stafford'

The flowers are dark red and make very pleasant eating with no noticeable after-taste[K].

Links

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[205] Erhardt. W. Hemerocallis. Day Lilies. Batsford. 1992 ISBN 0-7134-7065-8
A comprehensive book on the species with a short section on their uses.

[233] Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

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