Dianella tasmanica

Location & distribution maps

Phylogeny & links to associated information:

Wikipedia links:       Angiosperms > Monocots > Asparagales > Asphodelaceae> Dianella tasmanica     

Other links:     Living Atlas, Lucid

Plant  information

Common name:                Tasman flax-lily

• Also,Tasmanian flax-lily 

Conservation status:  unknown

Etymology:   

• The genus name is derived from the Roman goddess Diana, with a diminutive suffix -ella

Flowers:                  

• The small (1.5 cm diameter) blue flowers bloom in spring and summer (August to February)

• A flower stem to 1.5 m

Fruit:                         

• Small roughly oval or globular violet berries

• About 1.2 cm in diameter

• Unlike other Dianella species, its fruit is toxic

Leaves:         

• The green linear keeled leaves have finely toothed margins

• May reach 1 m in length and 1.5–4 cm wide

Stem & branches: 

• x

Roots:         

• A thick spreading rhizome under the ground

Habit:        

• A herbaceous strappy perennial herb which grows to 0.5–2 m high and wide

Habitat:   

• It grows singly or in clumps in shady spots in wet forests

Distribution:                  

•  Found in southeastern Australia including Tasmania

• Southwards from Dorrigo in NSW  

Additional notes:     

• Taxonomy

  • Dianella tasmanica was first described in 1858 by eminent English botanist and explorer Joseph Dalton Hooker

• Cultivation

  • Dianella tasmanica is a hardy plant which has been cultivated in gardens and as a pot plant for many years in Australia, preferring shade and regular moisture.

  • It can also be grown as an indoor plant, in a brightly lit space

  • A form with variegated leaves known as "Rainbow" is in cultivation, as well as a compact form "Little Devil", and a salt-tolerant form with red-tinged leaves

• Uses

  •  It adapts readily to cultivation and is commonly seen in Australian gardens

  • The fruits of Dianella tasmanica are toxic to an unknown degree and should not be eaten

  • They are markedly larger than the fruits of other Dianella species, and produce an irritating tingling sensation in the mouth when consumed

  • The fruits have reportedly been used by Aboriginal peoples to dye baskets, and the leaves may be used for weaving