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Blue Flax Lily

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​Dianella caerulea


Plant Number : 29 ​

Common Name: Blue Flax Lily, Blueberry Lily 

Scientific Name: Dianella caerulea

Derivation of name

Dianella – Dianella is the diminutive of Diana, the Roman goddess of hunting and queen of the woods and the original sp. was found in the woods of a French province

caerulea is from a Latin word, 'caeruleus' meaning the deep blue of the Mediterranean sky at midday or 'caelum' meaning sky and is referring to the colour of the berries

Description

  • Perennial herb which grows to 1 metre
  • Leaves have a distinct midrib vein on the underside and contain small, sharp, teeth-like serrations at the base and leaf edge
  • Flowers can be white/yellow to blue coloured in groups of 3-6 in spring and summer
  • Fruit is spherical shaped, blue and 7-12 mm in diameter

Human uses

The traditional Aboriginal use of this species included eating the raw and ripe fruit between October and November, although only a few at a time.  However, it is not recommended that this fruit is eaten as it is now regarded as poisonous (Source:  Queensland Poisons Information Centre).  The roots were pounded, roasted on hot coals and also eaten. The fibrous leaves used to make waistbands, footwear, nets, traps and baskets. During the colonial period the berries were used for making a permanent blue dye.

Acknowledgement:  Mountains to Mangroves, PlantNET, Bush Heritage, Save our Waterways 


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Last reviewed 21 October 2022
Last updated 21 October 2022