Hemerocallis aurantiaca

Physical Characteristics

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.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Meadow; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Root Shoots Edible Uses: Leaves and young shoots - cooked[105, 177]. They must be consumed when very young or else they become fibrous[K]. Flowers and flower buds - raw or cooked. The tubular flowers are about 7.5cm long and 13cm in diameter[205]. Each stem carries 6 - 8 flowers[205]. The flowers contain carotene and starch[105, 177]. The flower buds contain about 43mg vitamin C per 100g, 983 IU vitamin A and 3.1% protein[205]. Root - raw or cooked. A radish-like flavour but not so sharp[205].

Medicinal Uses

Antidote Diuretic Vitamin C 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].

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].)