Dianella longifolia, commonly known as blueberry lily, pale flax lily or smooth flax lily, or blue flax-lily,[2] (although other species, or the whole genus Dianella are also referred to by this last name[3][4][5]) is a
species of flowering plant in the family
Asphodelaceae and is
endemic to non-arid areas of
Australia. It is a tufted,
rhizomatous,
perennialherb with grass-like leaves, pale blue, white or greenish flowers that have pale yellow
anthers, and shiny, pale blue
berries.
Description
Dianella longifolia is a rhizamatous, perennial herb that forms tufts up to about 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) tall and has stems less than 10 cm (3.9 in) long. The leaves are folded lengthwise, grass-like, and 20–80 cm (7.9–31.5 in) long with a rounded to keeled sheath and 2–25 mm (0.079–0.984 in) wide. The
inflorescence is longer than the leaves, the flowers pale blue, white or greenish and well separated from each other, each on a
pedicel 7–16 mm (0.28–0.63 in) long. The three outer
tepals are 6–10 mm (0.24–0.39 in) and the inner tepals 5.5–9 mm (0.22–0.35 in) long, each with five veins. The
stamens have
filament swellings 1–2.3 mm (0.039–0.091 in) long and yellow anthers. Flowering occurs in spring and summer and the fruit is a pale blue berry 3–7 mm (0.12–0.28 in) long.[2][6][7]
Dianella longifolia var. grandis R.J.F.Henderson[14] that is widespread in south-eastern Australia, from near
Gympie to north of
Adelaide;[15]
Dianella longifolia R.Br. var. longifolia,[16] found throughout northern and eastern Australia, including the
Kimberley region of Western Australia;[17][18]
Dianella longifolia var. stupata R.J.F.Henderson[22] found mostly west of the
Great Dividing Range in eastern Australia;[23]
Dianella longifolia var. surculosa R.J.F.Henderson[24] that occurs in south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales.[25]
Distribution and habitat
Blueberry lily is widespread and common in non-arid parts of Australia, including the Kimberley region, eastern and southern Australia and northern Tasmania.[2]
^
abcHenderson, Rodney J.F.
"Dianella longifolia". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
^Henderson, Rodney J.F.
"Dianella longifolia var. fragrans". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
^Henderson, Rodney J.F.
"Dianella longifolia var. grandis". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
^Henderson, Rodney J.F.
"Dianella longifolia var. longifolia". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
^Henderson, Rodney J.F.
"Dianella longifolia var. stenophylla". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
^Henderson, Rodney J.F.
"Dianella longifolia var. stupata". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
^Henderson, Rodney J.F.
"Dianella longifolia var. surculosa". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Canberra. Retrieved 7 November 2020.