Orange Daylily

This Orange Daylily I observed growing in the grounds of Ripley Castle in North Yorkshire. It struck me as a jolly impressive flower, but online articles suggest it can be happily eaten, with an enjoyable nutty flavour developing after stir-frying. Someone, somewhere, took a bit of a risk to find this out. On this occasion, it was a welcome outcome, but those who first attempted to consume deadly nightshade, foxglove and monkshood may not have lived to tell the tale.

We are careful not to invite dangerous men into our homes, and poisonous food into our bellies, but less wise at admitting dangerous falsehoods into our churches and devotional lives. Not all heterodox beliefs cause us to die, but they are best left well alone. My advice is to enjoy flowers, such as the Orange Daylily, from afar and with one’s eyes only. Beyond that and a dicky tummy, or worse, may be expected.