The common orange Daylilies that now are swaying in our Summer breezes are not what many think they are. First, they’re not lilies. Daylilies belong to the genus Hemerocallis (from the Greek words “beautiful” and “day” because each bloom lasts only a day). The genus of true Lilies is Lilium (from the Greek name for white lily flowers).
Second, although many are wild, they’re not native; Daylilies originated in Asia and were introduced here by our European colonists. Third, their flowers are tasty vegetables that can be eaten raw or cooked, as many in Asia do.
Nonetheless, there’s no doubt that the sight of swaying Daylilies along the road is one of the delights of a Summer’s drive in the country, one that we’ll try to remember in Winter. See another image in the first Comment space. (Brooklin, Maine)