Hemerocallis minor

About Hemerocallis minor

H. middendorffii esculenta is a vigorous clumping plant growing about 60cm (2ft) tall. Smaller H. minor grows to 50cm (20in) tall, flowering in late spring/early summer. The flowers are about 5 cm (2in) long. Hemerocallis species, Daylilies are a flowering plant in the genus Hemerocallis. The flowers are usually large and showy, with six petals. They come in various colours: yellow, orange, pink, red and purple. The daylily is native to Eurasia and is found in many parts of the world. The flowers typically last for one day, hence the name ‘daylily’. They are straightforward to grow, with many forms tolerant of almost total neglect. Daylilies are widely used as a food crop in China and Japan. The genus comprises about 20 species. The Common DayLily H. fulva is more heat tolerant and grows well in drier climates. All parts of the plants are edible, with the flowers used more frequently. Eat the flowers raw when fully open. The petals are thick, crisp and juicy, with a delicate sweetness at their base due to their nectar. They are nutritious, containing reasonable quantities of protein, carbohydrates, iron and vitamin A. They are a great addition to the salad bowl. Cook flower buds; they taste like green beans. In the Orient, the flowers are dried and used as a flavouring and thickener in soups and sauces. The young shoots have a pleasant sweet flavour, making an excellent cooked vegetable. Depending on the species, young shoots are harvested from late winter and for much of the spring. Many species also produce edible nutty-flavoured young roots eaten raw or cooked.

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