Flax lilies, Blue Flax lily, Blue Berry Lily
Dianella pavopennacea
Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae
What it is like
A lily. It grows 1.2 m high. It forms tufts. The leaves are simple and have small teeth along the edge. The leaves are 30-55 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. The midrib has teeth on the under side. There is a sheath at the base. It is 5-8 cm long. The flowers are in branched clusters in the axils of the leaves. The flowers have 6 blue tepals. They are 4-7 mm long. The fruit is a blue berry. It is 5-8 mm long. There are several shiny black seeds. These are 3-4 mm long.
There are about 20-30 Dianella species. Also put in the family Hemerocallidaceae.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in vine thickets and open woodland. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 450 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit, rhizomes, root