Pale flaxlily, Smooth Flax-lily
Dianella longifolia

Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae

What it is like

A tufted herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It spreads by rhizomes. It forms clumps. The roots are tuberous and there is an underground rhizome. It grows 30-80 cm high and 50-150 cm wide. The leaves are long and strap like. They are 50-80 cm long by 0.5-1.5 cm wide. They have a long sheathing base. The upper surface in shiny and has slight ridges. The flowers are in a loose panicle. They are on long stalks 80-120 cm long. They have 6 petals. One ring is blue and one white. The stamens are all yellow/orange. The fruit is a blue/purple shiny berry. These are dark blue and 0.8-1.5 cm long. The seed are black.

There are about 20-30 Dianella species. Also put in the family Hemerocallidaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It suits dry sunny locations. It will grow under trees. It grows in moist grassland and open forest. It grows in temperate to subtropical regions. It can grow in semiarid places. It needs well drained soil. It can stand light frosts. It grows in the midlands of Tasmania. In Hobart Botanical gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Tasmania (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, rhizomes, root

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seed or division.

Its other names

Local names

Blue flax lily

Synonyms

Dianella laevis R.Br.;