Hemerocallis is a very difficult genus taxonomically, with no overall concensus amongst botanists as to how many distinct species there are and the delineation between them. The genus as a whole needs a comprehensive revision. We are trying to follow the most recent thinking for each species, though it is inevitable that a number of species we have included in the genus will have to be amended as and when a comprehensive new treatment is published.

Common Name:

General Information

Hemerocallis citrina is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.75 metres tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of fibre. It is extensively cultivated for its edible flowers in parts of China[], and is often grown as an ornamental.

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[].)

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - China.

Habitat

Forest margins, grassy fields and slopes along valleys from near sea level to 2000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.75 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are hardy to at least -20°c[].
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[].
Widely cultivated in China for its edible flowers, especially in Hunan province[].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[]. This species is said to be self-incompatible[, ].
Many of the plants in cultivation under this name are Hemerocallis thunbergii[].
The sub-species H. citrina vespertina (Hara.)Erhardt. is a very free-flowering form, producing up to 75 buds per scape and capable of flowering from July to October if the weather is suitable[].
The plant forms a loose spreading clump[]. The roots form pseudobulbs[].
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[].
Individual flowers are very short-lived, they open in the afternoon or evening and wither after 12 - 24 hours[, ]. However, plants produce a succession of flowers for several weeks of the summer. The number of flowers on a scape varies from 7 to 65[]. The flowers have a lemony scent[]. Another report says that they have a pronounced honeysuckle scent[].

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 flowers can be dried and used as a thickener in soups etc. The slender trumpets vary from 12 - 17cm long[]. There can be from 7 to 65 buds on a flowering stem[]. The flower buds contain about 43mg vitamin C per 100g, 983 IU vitamin A and 3.1% protein[].

Root - raw or cooked[]. The flavour is somewhat radish-like but not so sharp[].

Medicinal

The 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[].

Other Uses

The tough dried foliage is plaited into cord and used for making footwear[].

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[].
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.