Dianella (genus)
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Dianella (common name flax lily) consist of 30 known species belonging to the family Liliaceae with around half native to Australia.[1]
Features:
- Long strappy leaves up to 1m long
- Range in colour from deep green, blue-green to pale green
- Underground rhizome
- Blue flowers in spring
- Shiny blue to purple berries
- 5mm - 15mm diameter
- Spherical to elongated
- Spongy pulp
- Shiny black seeds
Their habitat ranges from moist forests, dry woodland rainforests and coastal dunes.[2]
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[edit] Australian Species (incomplete)
- Dianella bambusifolia, berries reported edible[3]
- Dianella brevipedunculata, leaves to 60cm, flowers & berries hidden within leaves
- Dianella caerulea, Paroo lily, leaves to 60cm, flower stem to 90cm
- Dianella congesta, Beach flax lily, fruit in tight bunches, berries reported edible best tasting [3]
- Dianella longifolia, flower step up to 1m, berries reported edible[3]
- Dianella pavopenacea, berries reported edible[3]
- Dianella rara
- Dianella revoluta, berries reported edible[3]
- Dianella tasmanica, Tasman flax lily, leaves to 80cm, flower stem to 1.5m, berries not edible[3]
[edit] Cultivation
- Frost hardy
- Full sun or part shade
- Propagate by division of rhizome
[edit] Uses
Landscaping - some species have dense attractive foliage and eye-catching displays of long-lasting bright blue berries.
Many species have edible fruit but most taste insipid, reportedly tastiest is the beach flax lily (D. congesta).[3]
The leaves were used to weave dillies and baskets by Australalian aboriginals.[3]
