Hemerocallis dumortieri is closely related to Hemerocallis middendorffii, which has been treated by some authors as a variety of Hemerocallis dumortieri[].
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 dumortieri is a herbaceous perennial plant forming a tight cluster of stems 25 - 50cm tall. The roots are slightly fleshy, with an oblong, swollen, tuberous part near the tip
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens.

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

,

Range

E. Asia - Korea, ?northeast China. Introduced in Japan.

Habitat

Meadows in the mountains of N. and C. Japan[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.45 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

This species is hardy to about -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[].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[].
Individual flowers only live for one day[]. The flowers are sweetly scented[].
Plants form a tight clump that spreads slowly[]. The roots are cylindrical[].
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[].

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 are crisp and juicy with a pleasant sweetness and no unpleasant after-taste[]. They can be dried and used as a thickener in soups etc[]. The flower buds contain about 43mg vitamin C per 100g, 983 IU vitamin A and 3.1% protein[].

Root - raw or cooked.

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[].
Plants form a slowly spreading clump and are suitable for ground cover when spaced about 45cm apart each way[]. The dead leaves should be left on the ground in the winter to ensure effective cover[].

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.