Family Index

Scientific Name

Dianella tasmanica

Family Name

LILIACEAE

Common Name

Blue Berry, Tasman Flax-lily

Status

Height

1.5m (150cm)

Flowers

Blue lilies with 6 prominent yellow stamens in the middle.

Fruit

Berries or drupes

Form

Tufted plant forming dense clumps and tussocks.

Municipalities

Break O'Day; Brighton; Burnie; Central Coast; Central Highlands; Circular Head; Clarence; Derwent Valley; Devonport; Dorset; Flinders Island; Georgetown; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Glenorchy; Hobart; Huon Valley; Kentish; King Island; Kingborough; Latrobe; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Sorell; Southern Midlands; Tasman; Waratah-Wynyard; West Coast; West Tamar

Communities

Dry Eucalypt Forest and Woodland; Rainforest; Wet Eucalypt Forest

Habitat Notes

Widespread and common especially in wetter areas on rocky hillsides, sea level to mountain foothills.

Site Tolerance

Moist; Rocky; Shady

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

Soil Tolerance

Fertile; Loam; Sandy; Well-drained

General Notes

Plants spread by stout rhizomes and may be invasive.Division of rhizomes during the autumn and early winter is the quickest method of propagation. Divided plants can either be planted directly into their final growing position or potted up and grown on for a year. Remove half of the leaf area to reduce transpiration and water loss and aid establishment. Clean fermented pulp from seeds by soaking in a sugary solution and sow immediately. Smoke treatment has increased results for some species. Soaking seed in soapy water (velvet) or a light scarification with sandpaper have also been recommended. Temp. may be critical in germination i.e. not above 18oC - Andrew Stevenson. Used in traditional Palawa basket weaving. (Ref. Tasmanian Aboriginal Baskets). Also used in modern basket weaving. Suitable below powerlines.

Propagation Details

Propagation Calendar

Flowering Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Collecting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sowing Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Cutting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Seed is black and shiny, and contained in a blue-purple oval-shaped berry. fleshy fruits turn soft when mature. collect into plastic bags as paper bags become soggy. allow to ferment for several weeks

Seed Treatment Method

Hot water

Seed Storage Life

6-12 months

Viable Seeds Per Gram

160

Seed Treatment Notes

Hot water treatment of seed before sowing has been successful. 1 or 2 drops of detergent will help break surface tension and allow water penetration. Autumn sowing is best. See General notes re. fermentation*

Germination Time

2 weeks to several months

Suitable for Direct Seeding

Cuttings

Expected Time to Take Root

Expected Time to Plant Out

Propagation by Division N.B. Transplant only from nearby to avoid disease.

Yes

Cutting Notes

Relatively easy by division. Division of rhizomes during the autumn and early winter is the quickest method of propagation. Divided plants can either be planted directly into their final growing position or potted up and grown on for a year. Remove half of the leaf area to reduce transpiration and water loss and aid establishment.