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 plicata is a herbaceous perennial plant producing a cluster of growth 40 - 80cm tall. The roots are slightly fleshy, with a large, oblong, swollen, tuberous part nea ther tip around 8 - 15mm × 25 - 50mm[]
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

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 (Sichuan, Yunnan)

Habitat

Sub-alpine woods and alpine meadows[]. Pinus forests, forest margins, thinly forested hilltops and grassy slopes; at elevations from 1,500 - 3,200 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
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[].
The string-like roots have spindle-shaped swellings near their ends[].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[]. This species is closely related to H. multiflora, differing mainly in height, number of flowers on a scape and the folding of the leaves[].
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 flower buds contain about 43mg vitamin C per 100g, 983 IU vitamin A and 3.1% protein[].

Root - raw or cooked. A radish-like flavour, but not so sharp[]. The roots are slightly fleshy, with a large, oblong, swollen, tuberous part near the tip[].

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.