Dianella (genus)

Taxobox
name = "Dianella"


image_width = 240px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Lilliopsida
ordo = Asparagales
familia = Phormiaceae
genus = "Dianella"
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = See text.

The genus "Dianella" (common name flax lily) consist of 30 known species belonging to the family Hemerocallidaceae with around half native to Australia. [Starting out with Natives, John Wriggley & Murray Fagg]

Features:
* Long strappy leaves up to 1 m long
** Range in colour from deep green, blue-green to pale green
* Underground rhizome
* Blue flowers in spring
** 3-petals & 3-sepals (or 6-petals to the casual observer)
** Prominent yellow stamens
** Borne in sprays on a stem, for most species above the leaves
* 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. [What wild flower is that? Alec M Blombery]

Australian Species (incomplete)

* "Dianella bambusifolia", berries reported edibleWild food plants of Australia, Tim Low]
* "Dianella brevicaulis" [FloraBase|name=Dianella brevicaulis|id=16326]
* "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
* "Dianella longifolia", flower step up to 1m, berries reported edible
* "Dianella pavopenacea", berries reported edible
* "Dianella rara"
* "Dianella revoluta", berries reported edible
* "Dianella tasmanica", Tasman flax lily, leaves to 80cm, flower stem to 1.5m, berries not edible
* "Dianella tenuissima", recently discovered tussock-forming species from the Blue Mountains of New South Wales

Cultivation

* Frost hardy
* Full sun or part shade
* Propagate by division of rhizome

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").

The leaves were used to weave dillies and baskets by Australian aboriginals.

References

[http://farrer.riv.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/APOL29/mar03-14.html#item4 Australian plants online]