Matted Flax-lily
Dianella amoena
A tufted, mat-forming perennial lily with grey-green leaves which are often crimson at the base. Flowerstem to 45 cm tall with numerous pale-dark blue scented flowers to 20 mm wide. Small round whitish to dark blue berries.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Flora Type | Lilies, orchids |
| Other Common Names | Grassland Flax lily |
| Distinctive Features | The edges and midribs of the leaves have tiny irregularly spaced teeth. |
| Biology | Perennial. Well-drained to seasonally wet sandy loam to cracking clay soils. Threatened by grazing and fertilizer run-off. Fire may have a beneficial effect. Listed in Tas and Vic. |
| Native Status | Native |
| Flowering Time | Oct-Feb |
| Taxonomy | |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants) |
| Class | Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants) |
| Order | Asparagales |
| Family | Hemerocallidaceae |
| Genus | Dianella |
| Species | amoena |
The leaf fibres were used, fruits eaten raw and the roots pounded and cooked on hot rocks by Aboriginal people of some Dianella species. The berries and seeds of this species are considered edible. Buzz pollinated by Blue-banded bees
| Interesting Facts | |
|---|---|
| Similar Species | It has characterisitics in common with D. laevis and D. spp. aff. longifolia (Benambra). |
| Native Status | Native |