Dwarf Daylily

(Hemerocallis ‘Stella D’oro’)

Interesting Information About Plant:

            The name Daylily comes from the Greek word, hemera meaning “day” because of how long each flower lasts and kallos meaning “beauty“. The plant received the title dwarf because of its short nature. The daylilies have dated back as far as BC and originated in China. The plant was known to have the history to been used with pregnant women, in which the woman would then be known to expect a male child. It has also been known that eating of the young shoots can provide relaxation. Eating of the petals is said to provide pain relief.

            Dwarf Daylily is used medically as a diuretic (the tea from roots), febrifuge, mild laxative. The flowers of the plant are anodyne, any emetic, antipasmodic, depurative, febrifuge, and sedative. In China they are used as an anodyne for women in childbirth. An extract of the flowers is used as a blood purifier.

            The leaves and young shoots of the Dwarf Daylily eaten as cooked or not cooked. They can also be used as an asparagus or celery substitute. The leaves need to be eaten whilst still very young since they quickly become fibrous. The petals provide a sweet taste because of the nectar within. They provide a rich source of iron. The flower buds can provide the rich source of vitamin A. It is very common for the plant to be eaten either raw or cooked in the Far East or it can also be found in oriental markets. The petals provide a sweet taste because of the nectar within. The juice of the roots has a history of being an effective antidote in cases of arsenic poisoning and treatment of cancer.

Common Name of Plant: Dwarf Daylily

Scientific Name: Hemerocallis ‘Stella D’oro’

Family Name (Scientific and Common): Liliaceae (Lilly Family)

Continent of Origin: Eurasia

Most Distinguishing Morphological Features of This Plant: Flowers once a day into a very bright yellow flower with superior stamen and pistil. 

Plant Growth Habit: Upright Herbaceous

Height at Maturity: Up to 1 foot

Life Span: Perennial

Seasonal Habit: Evergreen Perennial

Growth Habitat: Full Sun, Tolerate Shade

Manner of Culture: Garden Food, Garden Flower

Thorns on Younger Stem: No

Cross Section of Younger Stem: Roundish

Stem Diameter: Less than the Diameter of a Pencil

Type of Leaf: Flat, Thin Leaf

Length of Leaf (or Leaflet): Longer than a Writing Pen

Leaf Complexity: Simple

Shape of Leaf: Simple

Edge of Leaf: Smooth

Leaf Arrangement: Alternate

Leaf had Petiole: No

Patterns of Main Veins: Parallel

Leaf Hairiness: No Hairs

Color of Foliage in Summer: Green

Change in Color of Foliage in October: Changes to Yellow

Flowering Season: Early Summer/Autumn

Flowers: In a Loose Group

Type of Flowers: Colorful Flower

Color of Flowers: Yellow

Shape of Individual Flowers: Radially Symmetrical

Size of Individual Flowers: Between a Quarter and the Length of a Credit Card

Sexuality: Hermaphroditic Flower

Fruit: None

Is the Plant Poisonous: All of plant is poisonous to domestic cats as known by ASPCA,

but not to humans.

Pesty Plant (weedy, hard to control):  Daylilies are vigorous growers and should be    

divided when over grown.

Louisville Plants That are Most Easily Confused With This One:

• Daylily (Hemerocallis)
• Golden star (Chrysogonum virgianum)
• Fountain Grass, Dwarf Fountain Grass ’Little Bunny’ (Pennisetum alopecuroides)
• Orange Daylily, Tawny Daylily, Tiger Lily, Ditch Lily ( Hemerocallis fulva)
• Oriental Lily (Lilium candidum)
• Spider Lily, Surprise Lily, Tie Dye Surprise Lily (Lycoris sprengeri)
• Surprise Lily, Magic Lily, Resurrection Lily, and Naked Lily (Lycoris squamigera)

Page Created By:

Heather Sauer

December 2006