Hemerocallis aurantiaca
Baker.
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The New York Botanical Garden
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Carnegie Museum of Natural History
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Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Description
Hemerocallis aurantiaca is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Edible Uses
Leaves and young shoots - cooked. They must be consumed when very young or else they become fibrous. Flowers and flower buds - raw or cooked. The tubular flowers are about 7.5cm long and 13cm in diameter. Each stem carries 6 - 8 flowers. The flowers contain carotene and starch. The flower buds contain about 43mg vitamin C per 100g, 983 IU vitamin A and 3.1% protein. Root - raw or cooked. A radish-like flavour but not so sharp.
Medicinal Uses
Antidote Diuretic Vitamin CThe juice of the roots is an effective antidote in cases of arsenic poisoning. A tea made from the boiled roots is used as a diuretic.
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.)
Distribution
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Where It Grows
TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Guangdong Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu), Japan (Kyushu)
Cultivation
Succeeds in most soils, including dry ones, preferring a rich moist soil. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeding in sun or shade, it produces more flowers in a sunny position though these flowers can be shorter-lived in very sunny positions. Succeeds in short grass if the soil is moist. Prefers a pH between 6 and 7. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. The roots have spindle-shaped swellings. The cultivar 'Major' is smaller than the type species, but has larger flowers, it is sometimes cultivated for these edible flowers in Japan. There is some doubt as to whether this cultivar really is a form of H. aurantiaca. Individual flowers are very short-lived, opening in the morning and withering in the evening. 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. There is some doubt as to the origins of this plant, it might have arisen in cultivation at Kew. It is cultivated in Japan, where it is believed to have come from China. It is quite possibly a hybrid since it is sterile unless fertilized by another species.
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. Seed is only set if the plant is fertilized by another species, thus seedlings will not be true to the species type. 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.
Other Uses
Weaving. The tough dried foliage is plaited into cord and used for making footwear.
