Daylily

Hemerocallis fulva

Illustration: Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva) orange trumpet flowers

Identification: Clumps of arching strap-like leaves; tall stalks of large orange trumpet flowers, each lasting one day; small tuberous roots.

Dangerous look-alikes: True lilies (Lilium) — some toxic; daylily flowers are trumpet-shaped on leafless stalks from a clump of basal leaves, blooms last a single day. Confirm the one-day bloom and clump habit. Avoid roadside plants (contamination).

Edible parts: Unopened buds, open flowers, young shoots, tubers.

Season and habitat: Spring (shoots), summer (buds/flowers). Ditches, homesteads, escaped everywhere.

Preparation: Buds sautéed or battered ('the poor man's asparagus' when young shoots); petals in salads; tubers like tiny potatoes. A minority of people react with nausea — try a small amount first.