Citron Day-lily

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Citron Day-lily
• long yellow day-lily
• long yellow daylily

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asparagales. Finally, it falls within the family Asphodelaceae and is identified by the genus Hemerocallis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range across East Asia. In the Russian Far East, its presence is noted in both the Amur and Primorye regions. Its distribution extends significantly into China, where it can be found throughout the South-Central territories. Additionally, the species occupies much of the North-Central part of the country. Finally, its range reaches further north into the Inner Mongolia region of China.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hemerocallis citrina is characterized by its ability to thrive across significant altitudinal gradients, demonstrating a robust adaptive capacity to varying mountain environments. It is primarily distributed within an elevational range that reaches a maximum of 2000 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range also centered around 2000 m AMSL. This positioning suggests that the species is specialized for montane ecosystems, where it likely interacts with specific soil compositions, moisture regimes, and temperature fluctuations typical of these mid-to-high altitude zones. Its presence at these elevations dictates its role within the local biotic community, influencing nutrient cycling and providing niche habitats within its specific altitudinal belt.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Hemerocallis citrina is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its survival across multiple growing seasons through consistent vegetative regrowth. As a geophyte, its biological strategy relies on specialized underground storage organs, such as rhizomes or fleshy roots, which allow the plant to endure unfavorable environmental conditions and dormant periods by storing essential nutrients below the soil surface. This life form enables the species to effectively re-emerge each year, utilizing its subterranean reserves to drive new seasonal growth and reproductive development.

Life form :

geophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hemerocallis citrina is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, manifesting as a herbaceous plant that lacks woody tissue. It is a self-supporting organism that does not exhibit climbing behavior, such as a liana or vine, nor does it function as an obligatory or facultative climber. The plant is classified as an independent species, meaning it does not act as a parasite, and it maintains a terrestrial lifestyle, functioning as a terrestrial plant rather than an epiphyte or an aquatic or semiaquatic species.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hemerocallis citrina is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in varying light environments. The plant's vegetative architecture is defined by its linear foliage, which exhibits significant morphological variability in dimension. The leaves typically reach a minimum length of 50 cm, with a mean length of approximately 90 cm, and can extend to a maximum length of up to 130 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width is relatively narrow, ranging from a minimum of 0.6 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm, contributing to the plant's overall slender and elongated structural profile.

Leaf length max:

130 cm

Leaf length mean:

90 cm

Leaf length min:

50 cm

Leaf width max:

2.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.6 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Hemerocallis citrina involves the development of distinct fruiting structures following successful pollination. The plant produces elongated capsules that serve as the primary vehicle for seed dispersal. These fruits exhibit measurable variations in size, with a recorded minimum fruit length of 3 cm and a maximum fruit length reaching up to 5 cm. On average, the fruit length typically measures approximately 4 cm, characterizing the dimensions of the mature reproductive organs used to protect and eventually release the seeds for the next generation.

Fruit length max:

5 cm

Fruit length mean:

4 cm

Fruit length min:

3 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hemerocallis citrina has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, root.

Flower

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Root

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Chemicals

Hemerocallis citrina has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, 2-Methoxy-obtusifolin, Aloe emodin, Chrysophanol, FLAVONE.

Flavonoids

1. Scientific reports
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

2-Methoxy-obtusifolin

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Aloe emodin

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Chrysophanol

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

FLAVONE

1. Scientific reports

Hemerocallone

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Obtusifolin

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Rhein

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Tannins

1. Scientific reports

flavonols

1. Scientific reports

Activities

Hemerocallis citrina has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidepressant.

Antidepressant

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Hemerocallis citrina has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include abiotic stress, cognitive impairment, depression.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations