Dumortier's daylily

Hemerocallis dumortieri

Physical Characteristics

Hemerocallis dumortieri is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.6 m (2ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. 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 - Japan, Korea.

Habitats

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

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Shoots Edible Uses: Leaves and young shoots - cooked[105, 177, 183]. They must be consumed when very young or else they become fibrous[K]. Flowers and flower buds - raw or cooked[105, 177, 205]. The flowers are crisp and juicy with a pleasant sweetness and no unpleasant after-taste[K]. They can be dried and used as a thickener in soups etc[183]. The flower buds contain about 43mg vitamin C per 100g, 983 IU vitamin A and 3.1% protein[205]. Root - raw or cooked.

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].)