Scientific Name: Dianella tasmanica

Common Name: forest flaxlily

Family Classification (Clade): Monocots

Family: Hemerocallidaceae

Form Description: Tufted plant forming dense clumps and tussocks.

Height (m): 0.5 – 1.5

Flowers: Blue lilies with 6 prominent yellow stamens in the middle.

Fruit: Berry – blue-purple, oval-shaped containing black, shiny seed. Fleshy fruits turn soft when mature.

Municipality
Break O’DayBrightonBurnieCentral CoastCentral HighlandsCircular HeadClarenceDerwent ValleyDevonportDorsetFlindersGeorge TownGlamorgan-Spring BayGlenorchyHobartHuon ValleyKentishKing IslandKingboroughLatrobeLauncestonMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsSorellSouthern MidlandsTasmanWaratah-WynyardWest CoastWest Tamar
Plant Communities
Dry Eucalypt ForestRainforestWet Eucalypt Forest
Habitat Notes

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

Site Tolerance

Moist, Rocky, Shady

Soil Tolerance

Fertile, Loam, Sandy, Well-drained

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

General Notes

Plants spread by stout rhizomes and may be invasive. 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. Bird attracting. Used in traditional Palawa basket weaving. Also used in contemporary basket weaving.

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed, Division

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Collect into plastic bags as paper bags become soggy. Allow to ferment for several weeks. Clean fermented pulp from seeds by soaking in a sugary solution and sow immediately.

Seed Storage Life

6-12 months

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. Smoke treatment has increased results for some species. A light scarification with sandpaper has also been recommended. Temperature may be critical in germination i.e. not above 18°C (Andrew Stevenson, Wildseed Tasmania.) Autumn sowing is best.

Germination Time

2 weeks-several months

Cutting & Division Information

Division of rhizomes during the autumn and early winter is the quickest method of propagation.