Botanical Name:Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily:Hemerocallidoideae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asparagales
Genus: Hemerocallis
Synonyms:
: Lilioasphodelus Fabr.
: Cameraria Boehm. in C.G.Ludwig
Common Names: Daylily, Yellow daylily, Lemon daylily, Lemon lily
Habitat: Daylily is probably native to China It grows in Europe in N.E. Italy and Slovenia and is one of the first daylilies used for breeding new daylily cultivars.It mainly grows in Rocky mountain woods, wet meadows and riversides on foothills of the S.E. Alps in Europ.
Description:
Daylily is a perinnial plant growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Individual flowers open up for 1-2 days.Flower are Showy and Fragrant. This species daylily has flower scapes rising up to 3′ tall from a clump of arching, strap-shaped, medium green leaves.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Cultivation:
Succeeds in most soils, including dry ones, preferring a rich moist soil and a sunny position but tolerating partial shade. Plants flower less freely in a shady position though the flowers can last longer in such a position. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in short grass if the soil is moist. Prefers a pH between 6 and 7. Plants are very cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c. A very vigorous plant, spreading by underground rhizomes. The plant has a fibrous root system with occasional spindle-like swellings. Cultivated as a food and medicinal plant in Japan. Individual flowers are short-lived, they open at night and last for 20 – 76 hours. The plant produces a succession of blooms over a period of about 2 months. The flowers are fragrant. The flowers have a honeysuckle-like scent and this can pervade the air for a considerable distance when warmed by the summer sunshine. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. Plants take a year or two to become established after being moved. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. The plants are very susceptible to slug and snail damage, the young growth in spring is especially at risk. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 12 through 2. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of “heat days” experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form – tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread . The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length . The root pattern is tuberous with swollen potato-like roots.
Propagation:
Seed – sow in the middle of spring in a greenhouse. Germination is usually fairly rapid and good. Prick out 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. Division in spring or after flowering in late summer or autumn. Division is very quick and easy, succeeding at almost any time of the year. 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.
Edible Uses:
Leaves and young shoots – raw or cooked like asparagus or celery. They must be consumed when very young or else they become fibrous. Flower buds – raw or cooked. They taste somewhat like green beans. They contain about 43mg vitamin C per 100g, 983 IU vitamin A and 3.1% protein. Flowers – raw or cooked. They can be dried and used as a thickener in soups etc. If the flowers are picked just as they start to wither they can be used as a condiment. The flowers are a traditional food in China where they are steamed and then dried. Root – cooked. They taste like a blend of sweet corn and salsify. We have found them to be tender but fairly bland with a slight sweetness. The swollen roots are quite small and are only really worthwhile using if the plant is being dug up for divisions or some other reason.Daylily flowers are used in Chinese cuisine and Japanese cuisine.
Medicinal Uses:
The juice of the roots is an effective antidote in cases of arsenic poisoning. The root also has a folk history of use in the treatment of cancer – extracts from the roots have shown antitumour activity. A tea made from the boiled roots is used as a diuretic.
Other Uses:
The tough dried foliage is plaited into cord and used for making footwear. Plants form a spreading clump and are suitable for ground cover when spaced about 45cm apart each way. The dead leaves should be left on the ground in the winter to ensure effective cover.
Known Hazards: Large quantities of the leaves are said to be hallucinogenic. Blanching the leaves removes this hallucinatory component. (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.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
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