Hemerocallis plicata

What to Eat

Edible parts: Flowers, Leaves, Root

Leaves and young shoots are edible cooked but must be harvested when very young before they become fibrous. Flowers and flower buds can be eaten raw or cooked; flower buds contain approximately 43mg vitamin C per 100g, 983 IU vitamin A, and 3.1% protein. The roots are edible raw or cooked with a radish-like flavour, though milder and less sharp. The roots are slightly fleshy, with a large, oblong, swollen, tuberous section near the tip.

Known Hazards

Where to Find It

It is a temperate plant. It grows in pine forest and on thinly forested hilltops between 1500-3200 m altitude in S China. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Asia, China, Tibet,

How to Identify

A herb. It grows 40-80 cm high. The roots are slightly fleshy with large swollen tubers near the tip. These are 0.8-1.5 cm long and 2.5-5 cm wide. The leaves are narrow and 45-50 cm long by 6-8 mm wide. They are usually folded and the base is surrounded by the fibrous remains of older leaves. The flowering stalk has 3-7 branches with groups of 2-3 flowers and one with 2-20 flowers. The flowers are small and open during the day. They are orange.

How to Grow

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. The string-like roots have spindle-shaped swellings near their ends. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. This species is closely related to H. multiflora, differing mainly in height, number of flowers on a scape and the folding of the leaves. 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.

Propagation: Sow seed in mid-spring in a greenhouse; germination is usually fairly rapid and good. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle, overwinter in the greenhouse, and plant out in late spring. Divide plants in spring or after flowering in late summer or autumn — division is quick and easy at almost any time of year. Larger clumps can go straight into permanent positions; smaller clumps are best potted up and grown on in a cold frame until rooting well, then planted out in spring.

Medicinal Uses

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

Other Uses

The tough dried foliage can be plaited into cord and used for making footwear.

Hemerocallis plicata is a perennial growing to 0.5m tall. Not frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite and insect-pollinated. It grows in light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with mildly acidic to mildly alkaline pH. The plant tolerates semi-shade or full sun and adapts to both dry and moist soil conditions.

Notes

There are about 15 Hemerocallis species. Also put in the family Hemerocallidaceae.

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