Dianella longifolia var. grandis R.J.F. Hend.

Common name(s): Pale Flax Lily, Spreading Flax Lily, Smooth Flax Lily, Greater Blueberry Lily

Family: Liliaceae Synonym(s): Dianella laevis
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Plant
Plant
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Leaf
Leaves
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Flower
Flowers
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Fruit
Fruit
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Seed
Seeds
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Plant Properties
Origin(s)
Australia
  • NSW: NP, NT, NC, SF, CS, ST, SC, CAN
  • QLD: MA, DD, MO
  • SA: NW, FR, NL, SL, MU, SE
  • VIC: WI, MI, VP, OP, EG
Plant Type
Herb-Perennial
Herb-Perennial
Climate Range(s) - Habitat
Temperate Cool, Temperate Warm
Temperate Cool,
Temperate Warm
Aspect Range(s)
Sun - Full, Shade - Dappled
Sun - Full,
Shade - Dappled
Habitat Range(s)
Grasslands, Forest - Grassy, Mallee Vegetation, Open Woodlands, Sclerophyll Forest - Dry, Sclerophyll Forest - Wet
Grasslands,
Forest - Grassy,
Mallee Vegetation,
Open Woodlands,
Sclerophyll Forest - Dry,
Sclerophyll Forest - Wet
Habitat Zone(s)
Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's, Heavy soils, Moist areas, Moist Slopes, Plains, Ridges, Sandy Moist, Scattered, Slopes, Understory, Well drained
Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's,
Heavy soils,
Moist areas,
Moist Slopes,
Plains,
Ridges,
Sandy Moist,
Scattered,
Slopes,
Understory,
Well drained
Mature Height
400-450mm, 450-500mm
400-450mm,
450-500mm
Mature Width
500-550mm
500-550mm
Plant Shape
Clump - Upright
Clump - Upright
Clump - Upright Clump - Upright
Growth Rate
Moderate
Moderate
Maturity
1-2 yrs
1-2 yrs
Life Span
15-30yrs
15-30yrs
Leaf Properties
Colour (front)
Grey-green
Grey-green
Colour (back)
Grey-green
Grey-green
Shape(s)
Linear
Linear
Linear Linear
Aroma
None
None
Texture (front)
Glaucous
Glaucous
Glaucous Glaucous
Texture (back)
Glaucous
Glaucous
Glaucous Glaucous
Leaf Length(s)
600-700mm
600-700mm
Leaf Width(s)
10-15mm
10-15mm
Margin
Entire
Entire
Entire Entire
Bark / Stem / Culm Properties
Colour(s) Upper
Grey-green
Grey-green
Texture(s) Upper
Smooth
Smooth
Smooth Smooth
Trunk / Stem Construction(s)
Pith Continuous
Pith Continuous
Pith Continuous Pith Continuous
Trunk / Stem / Culm Cross Section
Terete
Terete
Terete Terete
Trunk / Stem / Culm Diameter
5-10mm
5-10mm
Flower Properties
Gender: Bisexual
Time(s)
Spring - Summer Mid
Flower Colour(s)
Blue Light
Blue Light
Flower Shape(s)
Stellate
Stellate
Stellate Stellate
Pendulous
Pendulous
Aroma(s)
None
None
Pollinator(s)
Bees, Insects, Birds
Bees,
Insects,
Birds
Fruit Properties
Type
Bacca
Bacca
Bacca Bacca
Outer Colour(s)
Blue
Blue
Outer Texture
Smooth
Smooth
Smooth Smooth
Root Properties
Type
Rhizome
Rhizome
Rhizome Rhizome
Soil Properties
Type(s)
Clay, Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam, Sand
Clay,
Clay-loam,
Loam,
Sandy-loam,
Sand
pH Range(s)
Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline, Alkaline
Slightly Acid,
Neutral,
Slightly Alkaline,
Alkaline
Condition(s)
Wet
Wet
Moist
Moist
Dry
Dry
Wet Wet,
Moist Moist,
Dry Dry
Poor , Deep , Shallow , Well Drained
Poor,
Deep,
Shallow,
Well Drained
Salinities
None
None
None None
Other Properties / Uses
Bee Attraction
Moderate
Moderate
Bird Attraction
Insect, Fruit
Insect,
Fruit
Butterfly Attraction
Moderate
Moderate
Frog Habitat
None
None
Coastal
1st Line
1st Line
Edible(s)
Berry, Roots
Berry,
Roots
Fire Retarding
Moderate
Moderate
Drought Tolerance
Good
Good
Frost Tolerance
Good
Good
Snow Tolerance
None
None
Landscape Use
Very Good
Very Good
Maintenance(s)
Pruning - Periodical
Pruning - Periodical
Special Purpose(s)
Berries, Cut Flowers, Floral Art, Foliage, Groundcover, Interesting Buds or Fruit, Shade Tolerant, Shady Dry, Shady Moist, Soil Binder, Sunny Moist
Berries,
Cut Flowers,
Floral Art,
Foliage,
Groundcover,
Interesting Buds or Fruit,
Shade Tolerant,
Shady Dry,
Shady Moist,
Soil Binder,
Sunny Moist

General Notes

An excellent, tough, hardy plant for landscape garden or road side use. Usually forming upright clumps, not spreading like a lot of other Dianella species.  Classified as rare and endangered in some areas of its natural habitat.

Root extracts have shown antiviral activity. Aboriginal use includes leaves for plaiting baskets, roots pounded and cooked on hot rocks and the berries eaten raw.

Four other varieties are recorded

D. longifolia var. stenophylla

D. longifolia var. longilfolia

D. longifolia var. stupata

D. longifolia var. surculosa