Hemerocallis middendorffii

Hemerocallis middendorffii, known as Amur daylily, is a plant species in the subfamily Hemerocallidoideae of the family Asphodelaceae of the order Asparagales. It is native to the Russian Far East, northwest China, Korea, and Japan. It grows in meadows, mountain slopes, open woods, and scrub. It is cultivated in Asia for its edible flowers.

Description

A herb. It grows 40-80 cm high. The roots are rope like and 1.5-3 mm thick. They are fleshy or fibrous but without a tuber. The leaves are narrow. They are 35-80 cm long by 0.8-1.6 cm wide. The base is surrounded by the remains of older leaves. The flowering stalk is short and has 2 or 3 flowers. The flowers have a slight scent. They are yellow or orange. The fruit is a capsule 1.5-2.3 cm long by 1-1.4 cm wide.

Edible Uses

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; the flowers can also be dried and used as a thickener in soups. Flower buds contain approximately 43mg vitamin C per 100g, 983 IU vitamin A, and 3.1% protein.

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.

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

It is a temperate plant. It grows in forests and along the edges as well as in wet grassland from near sea level to 2000 m altitude in N China. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Russia, Slovenia, Tasmania,

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. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. Individual flowers are short-lived, but the plant produces a succession of blooms and also flowers again in late summer. The plant has a fibrous root system that does not extend far. Plants take a year or two to become established after being moved but then form large clumps. 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.

Other Uses

The tough dried foliage can be plaited into cord and used for making footwear. Plants spread into clumps and are suitable for ground cover when spaced about 45cm apart each way; dead leaves should be left on the ground over winter to ensure effective cover. Flowers are rich in nectar and pollen, attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The dense foliage can provide some shelter for small wildlife, and the leaf litter offers overwintering habitat for beneficial insects.

Notes

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

Synonyms

Also Known As

Middendorffova maslenica

References (6)

• Chen Xinqi, Liang Songyun, Xu Jiemei, Tamura M.N., Liliaceae. Flora of China. p 95
• Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 692
• Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 127
• A. T. Middendorff, Reise Sibir. 1, 2(3):94. 1856 (Fl. ochot. phan.)
• Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/

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