Hemerocallis minor - Grassleaf Day Lily

Family:	Hemerocallidaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.5
Width:	0.5
Synonyms:	H. gracilis. H. graminae. H. graminifolia.
Range:	E. Asia - N. China, Korea.

Hemerocallis minor (Grassleaf Day Lily) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.5m and a width of 0.5m . It has a hardness rating of 4and is vunerable to frost.
Grassleaf Day Lily will flower in November to December. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Grassleaf Day Lily 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
Grassleaf Day Lily prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Grassleaf Day Lily can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Water meadows, elevated wet places with sandy soils, forest glades, mountain slopes and scrub[74].

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]. A very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c[187]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200]. A very ornamental plant, its roots are slender and not tuberous, whilst the rhizomes are not spreading[187]. The roots sometimes have bulbous swellings at their tips[205]. The flowers open in the evening and live for about 2 days[205]. The flowers have a powerful scent of honeysuckle[245]. Plants take a year or two to become established after being moved[200]. 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: 4/5
Leaves and young shoots - cooked[2, 20, 46, 61, 183]. They must be consumed when very young or else they become fibrous[K]. One report says that eating these leaves appears to stimulate or intoxicate to some extent[2]. Flowers and flower buds - raw or cooked[2, 20, 46, 61]. Considered to be a great delicacy[177]. The flowers are a traditional food in China where they are steamed and then dried[266]. The flowers can be dried and used as a relish or a thickener in soups etc[178, 183]. The flower buds contain about 43mg vitamin C per 100g, 983 IU vitamin A and 3.1% protein[205]. Root - raw or cooked[183, 205]. A radish-like flavour but not so sharp[205].

• Flowers -
• Leaves -
• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
Anodyne, antidote, diuretic, febrifuge[178]. The juice of the roots is an effective antidote in cases of arsenic poisoning[205]. The root also has a folk history of use in the treatment of cancer - extracts from the roots have shown antitumour activity[218]. A tea made from the boiled roots is used as a diuretic[205].

• Anodyne - Relieves pain, it is milder than an analgesic.
• Antidote - Counters poisoning.
• Cancer - Used in the treatment of cancer.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.

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.

Scented parts of the plants

Flowers : Fresh

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].

• 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 the USSR.
Komarov. V. L.
Author: Komarov. V. L.
Rating:
Publisher : An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers.
Date of Publication : 1968

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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