Champion Daylilies
Forms
Glossary ----- Back ----- Patterns
Daylilies have been hybridized into a variety of shapes. Part of the delight of viewing daylilies in a garden setting is the contrast between the various sizes and forms. Below you will find text and illustrations of some of the forms daylily flowers may exhibit.
Cascade, Curling
One of three defining forms of an Unusual Form daylily. A "cascade" refers to a small, steep waterfall or something resembling it. The cascade form may include cascading or curling of segments. Also see Cascading, Curling, Segment, Unusual form.
Cascading, Curling
Narrow floral segments with pronounced curling or cascading, which revolve upon themselves in the manner of a wood shaving. "Cascading" refers to a small waterfall or something resembling it such as these forms in the daylilies. Also see: Cascade, Segment, Unusual form.
Circular
When viewed from the front of a bloom, the flower appears round. Segments tend to be short, wide and stubby, and generally overlap, giving a full appearance. See also: Re-curved.
Crispate
One of three definitions of an Unusual Form daylily. Crispates may contain pinched segments, twisting segments, or quilling on one or more segments. Also see: Quilling, Segment, Twisting, Unusual Form.
Double
This form has more than six segments. Double daylilies, like single daylilies, come in differing forms. For example: The extra segments may appear as a tuft in the middle of the flower. This is often referred to as a "peony-type" double. They may appear as a second layer of segments on top of the normal six, forming two blooms in one - or a "hose-in-hose" effect. They may appear as irregular or asymmetrical extra petaloids.
Edges
Edges refer to the outer periphery of the petals and occasionally the sepals.
1) Edges can be structural, i.e. have knobs, braids, tentacles, fringe, and teeth.
2) Edges can also be of a different color. If the edge is narrow and gold, silver, or white, it is referred to as a wire edge.
3) Edges of a different color or colors can be narrow (referred to as a picotee) or wide (referred to as a border).
4) Some structural edges reach down into the surface of the flower. These super sculpted edges give a three-dimensional quality to the flower.
Flat
When viewed from side of bloom, flowers are perfectly flat except for the concave throat.
Halo
An eye that is relatively narrow or indistinct.
Informal
When viewed from front of bloom, flower segments have no definable shape. Segment placement may be irregular, widely spaced or floppy.
Mid-rib
The principal lengthwise vein of a leaf or of a perianth segment (petals and sepals). On the perianth segments the midribs may be the same color as the segment or of a contrasting color as in the sample photo.
Perianth Segments
A typical (not double) daylily flower has six perianth segments arranged in two rows. The three inner ones are the petals, and the three outer ones are the sepals. The term "tepal" may be used to refer to any of the six, because they are relatively undifferentiated from each other as compared to many other plants, such as roses. Also see: Petal, Sepal, Polytepal.
Pinching
Applies to floral segments with sharp folds giving a pinched or folded effect. See also: Crispate, Unusual Forms.
Polytepal
A flower having four or more petals and four or more sepals in the same plane or whorl. In order to be registered as a polytepal a plant must bloom at least 50% or more of its blooms as a polytepal. For a formal definition, see polytepalous.
Polytepalous
Defined as "having extra whole tepals (sepals and petals) in the two tepal whorls of a flower, i.e., more than the normal three sepals (usually four or five) in the outer whorl and more than three petals (usually the same number as sepals) in the inner whorl." The word "polytepalous" as adopted by the American Hemerocallis Society applies to a condition recognized in botanical language as polymerous.
Quilling
Applies to floral segments that turn upon themselves along their length to form a tubular shape. Also see: Crispate, Pinching, Twisting, Unusual Forms.
Re-curved
When viewed from side of bloom, flower segments flare, but ends of segments roll or tuck under.
Ruffled
When viewed from front of bloom, flower segments have ruffles along the edges. Ruffles take many forms; they may be tightly crimped, laced, knobby, or wavy.
Sculpted
Term used to describe a three-dimensional quality on the petal surface. Sculpting may be associated with pronounced veins within the petals or with other structural effects on the surface of the petals.
Spatulate
One of three definitions of an Unusual Form daylily. Floral segments are markedly wider at the end, resembling a kitchen spatula. Also see: Cascade, Cascading/Curling, Segment, Unusual form. This is a perfect example of the Spatulate form. Long petals with the widest part of the floral segment more than half way from the center.
Spider
A flower whose segments have a length-to-width ratio of at least 4 to 1 (i.e., 4:1). Length is measured with the segment fully extended. Width measurement is taken as the flower grows naturally.
Star
When viewed from front of bloom, flower segments tend to be long and pointed. There is space between the segments, and the shape looks like a three-pointed or six pointed star.
Triangular
When viewed from the front of the bloom, the flower segments form a triangle. The sepals generally re-curve.
Trumpet
When viewed from side of bloom, flower form resembles a true lily. Segments rise from throat in an upward pattern with little flare.
Twisting
Floral segments (petals and/or sepals) which present a corkscrew or pinwheel effect. A characteristic found in many daylilies in the Unusual Form category. Also see: Crispate, Pinching, Quilling, Unusual Forms. The top and lower right petal and bottom sepal show the twisting typical of this type of Unusual Form. Notice the distinct curling of the other two sepals.
Unusual Form
The newest registration class includes crispate (pinched, twisted or quilled floral segments); cascading (narrow curling or cascading segments); and spatulate (segments markedly wider at the end like a kitchen spatula.) Its definition states: "The Unusual Form" class is based exclusively on form, not on color or color patterns. The flower must have distinctive petal or sepal shapes, or a combination of both.