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 multiflora is a herbaceous perennial plant producing a cluster of stems 50 - 70cm tall, with flowering stems up to 90cm. The roots are slightly fleshy, with a swollen, tuberous part near the tip[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. The plant 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

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Range

E. Asia - eastern China (Henan)

Habitat

Hill forests and openings in forests on hilltops; at elevations from 700 - 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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[]. This species is closely related to H. micrantha and H. plicata[].
Individual flowers are short-lived, opening in the morning and withering in the evening, but the plant produces a succession of blooms over several weeks. Each scape carries between 75 and 100 blooms[]. The flowers are smaller than most other species in the genus and are slightly fragrant[].
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. Relatively small for a day lily, but the flowers are crisp with a pleasant sweetness and no aftertaste - they make a delicious addition to salads[]. The flowers can also 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[]. We have found them to be tender but fairly bland with a slight sweetness[]. The roots are slightly fleshy, with a swollen, tuberous part near the tip[]. The swollen roots are quite small and are only really worthwhile using if the plant is being dug up for divisions or some other reason[].

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.