Hemerocallis middendorffii esculenta -

Family:	Hemerocallidaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.5
Synonyms:	H. esculenta. Koidz.
Range:	E. Asia - China, Japan

Hemerocallis middendorffii esculenta () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.5m . It has a hardness rating of 5and is vunerable to frost.
Hemerocallis middendorffii esculenta will flower in December to January. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Hemerocallis middendorffii esculenta will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Hemerocallis middendorffii esculenta prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Hemerocallis middendorffii esculenta can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Meadows in high mountains, N. and C. Japan[58, 205].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds
• Suits a meadow

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils[1], including dry ones, preferring a rich moist soil and a sunny position[111] but tolerating partial shade[88]. Plants flower less freely in a shady position though the flowers can last longer in such a position[205]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in short grass if the soil is moist[1]. Prefers a pH between 6 and 7[200]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200]. Individual flowers only live for one day[205]. Plants take a year or two to become established after being moved but then form large clumps[200, 187]. The roots are fibrous without any obvious swellings[205]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. The plants are very susceptible to slug and snail damage, the young growth in spring is especially at risk[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 5/5
Leaves and young shoots - cooked[105, 116, 177, 183]. They must be consumed when very young or else they become fibrous[K]. Flowers and flower buds - raw or cooked[105, 127, 177, 183]. The flowers are crisp and succulent with a delicious sweet flavour and no aftertaste[K]. The flowers 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[205].

• Flowers -
• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
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].

• Antidote - Counters poisoning.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

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[K]. Division in spring or after flowering in late summer or autumn[200]. Division is very quick and easy, succeeding at almost any time of the year[K]. 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.

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].)

Other Uses

The tough dried foliage is plaited into cord and used for making footwear[205]. Plants form a spreading clump and are suitable for ground cover when spaced about 45cm apart each way[208]. The dead leaves should be left on the ground in the winter to ensure effective cover[208]. (This report was for a plant labelled H. middendorfiana, which I have assumed is a mis-spelling of this species[K])

• Weaving - Items such as grass and palm leaves that are woven together for making mats, baskets etc. See also Basket making and Fibre.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of Japan. (English translation)
Ohwi. G.
Author: Ohwi. G.
Rating:
Publisher : The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1965

Flora of China

Author:
Rating: http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher : On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.
Date of Publication : 1994

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