Genetic model organisms have revolutionized science, and today,
with the rapid advances in technology, there is significant
potential to launch many more plant species towards model
status. However, these new model organisms have to be carefully
selected. Hemerocallis (the daylily) satisfies multiple criteria
for selection and deserves serious consideration as a subject of
intensive biological investigation. Several attributes of the
genus are of great biological interest. These include the strict
control of flower opening and, within a short period, the
precisely regulated floral death by a programmed cell death
system. The self-incompatibility system in Hemerocallis is also
noteworthy and deserves more attention. Importantly, the genus
is widely cultivated for food, medicinal value and ornamental
interest. Hemerocallis has considerable potential as a
‘nutraceutical’ food plant and the source of new compounds with
biomedical activity. The genus has also been embraced by
ornamental plant breeders and the extr