Back
Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata'
| Family Name: | Asphodelaceae |
| Common Name: | Tasman Flax-lily, Variegated Flax Lily |
This slow-growing herb is well-suited for dry and shady areas including under trees.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Compact |
| Maximum Height | 0.5 m to 0.6 m |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Perennial herb up to 0.9 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The linear leaves are mostly green with cream-coloured leaf margins. |
| Stems | It has an underground, horizontal stem known as a rhizome. |
| Flowers | Small blue flowers with bright yellow anthers (the pollen-bearing structures) are borne on a branched inflorescence known as a panicle. |
| Fruit | The fruit is a round, shiny metallic blue berry (~1 cm wide). This cultivar does not fruit as much as the species. |
| Taxonomy | This variegated cultivar is similar to the species except that it tends to fruit less. |
| Cultivation | It is susceptible to powdery mildew and leaf spot diseases. It grows well under trees. |
| Etymology | The genus 'Dianella' originates from Diana, the Roman goddess of hunting. The specific epithet 'tasmanica' originates from Tasmania, a country which is part of the species' native range. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Slow |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, White |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Linear) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Serrulate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Clasping |
| Typical Foliar Area | Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 ), Macrophyll ( 182.25cm2 - 1640.25 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
| Typical Foliar Size | 0.9 m |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple, Blue |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Stellate / Star-shaped |
| Flower Size | 1.6 cm |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Blue, Purple |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny, Smooth |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 635 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1930 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
