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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.
Copyright 2000-2009, Understorey Network Incorporated. Updated 2024-11-11
Database development and website design by
Andrew Smith