Grassleaf day lily, Small yellow flower vegetable
Hemerocallis minor

Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae

What it is like

A herb. It loses its leaves during the winter. It grows 50 cm high and spreads 50-60 cm wide. The roots are rope like and 1.5-3 mm thick. The leaves are narrow and 20-60 cm long by 0.3-1.5 cm wide. They are grass like. The flowering stalk is short. There are 2-3 groups of 1 or 2 flowers. The flowers have a smell. They open in the evening and last 1 or 2 days. The flowers are lemon coloured. The fruit is a capsule. It is oval and 2-3 cm long by 1-2 cm wide.

There are about 15 Hemerocallis species. Also put in the family Hemerocallidaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate climate plant. It grows in forests, thickets and grassy slopes. It is often in wet places along valleys. It grows between 200-2600 m altitude in N China. It grows in Inner Mongolia in China. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China (country/location of origin), Europe, France, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Russia, SE Asia, Siberia, Slovenia

How it is used for food

The flowers are steamed and then dried as a traditional food in China. They are used in soups and stir-fries. The young leaves are boiled and eaten. The bulbs can be baked, steamed, roasted or stir-fried.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, root, spice

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds. They can also be grown by division.

Its other names

Local names

Honghu huwar, Hosoba-kisuge, Huanghuacai, Huang hua zi, Lili kuning kecil, Mala maslenica, Sir-a huwar, Xiao huang hua cai, Xira checheg

Synonyms

Hemerocallis flava var. minor (Miller) M. Hotta; Hemerocallis graminea Andrews; Hemerocallis graminifolia Schltdl.; Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus subsp. minor (Mill.) Z. T. Xiong; Hemerocallis pumila Salisb.; Hemerocallis sulphurea Nakai;