Matted Flax-lily

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©Photo: (CC BY 2.5 AU) Russell Best via natureshare.org.au, Photo: (CC BY 2.5 AU) Russell Best via natureshare.org.au

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