Introduced from Asia for their beautiful, fragrant blossoms, they've jumped the garden fence and gone wild. The Day Lily grows from thick, fleshy roots with small, oval tubers. It has narrow leaves about 2 feet long. If you plan to use the young leaves, it's important to distinguish them from Iris leaves, which are poisonous. The flowers grow in loose clusters at the top of a leafless stalk that may reach as tall as 5 feet.
Day lilies are native to Asia and used there as food and medicine .
Look for them along roadsides, in thickets, near abandoned foundations, and in gardens, throughout the eastern U.S. and in Asia. Begin moderately - some people find that Day Lilies disagree with them. Also, for anyone, too many Day Lilies can have a laxative effect. Steam the tubers and serve with butter. Pickle the buds or use them fresh in a stir-fry.