Dianella longifolia var. grandis R.J.F. Hend.
Common name(s): Pale Flax Lily, Spreading Flax Lily, Smooth Flax Lily, Greater Blueberry Lily
Plant Properties
Clump - Upright Leaf Properties
Linear 
Glaucous
Glaucous 
Entire 
Concave,
Flat Back-ribbed 
Parallel 
Dense Crown 
Acute Narrowly 
Truncate 
Sheath Open Bark / Stem / Culm Properties
Smooth 
Pith Continuous 
Terete Flower Properties
Stellate 
Oblong,
Elliptic Fruit Properties
Bacca 
Orbicular 
Smooth Seed Properties
Orbicular 
Smooth Root Properties
Rhizome Soil Properties
Wet,
Moist,
Dry 
None Other Properties / Uses
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
Propagation Notes
Smoke Stratified Seed
Soak the berry in water if dry, squeeze and remove the seed, approximately 3-5 per berry, then soak the seed in a velvet soap water mix for 24 hrs. Allow to dry. Store in a cool dark place.
Viability:- 6 - 12 months
Seeds/gram:-
3 parts Seed Raising Mix + 1 part washed sand
Light scarifying smoke treatment will improve germination. Surface sow fresh seed and cover with fine gravel, water in with smoked water, place outside.
Viable seeds/gram:-
Germination time:- Fresh 2 - 4 months, 1 year old seed 4 - 6 months.
Pricking out:- 6 – 10 weeks into tubes after germination
Tube Mix:- 3 parts Seed Raising Mix + 1 part washed sand
For nursery stock division is best. Seed set can be low even if berries are present. Seed remains viable for 6-12 months but does reduce in germination rates. Studies show that increased germination may be achieved with placing the treated sown seed on a heated bed until emergence.
For direct seeding, sow from mid-winter in low rainfall areas and spring in higher rainfall areas.
Crown Division
For field collected stock, choose medium to large clumps. Dig up and remove the top half of the foliage on site. Gently plunge, wash soil from the roots. Carefully prize apart the root system for each reasonable sized section of the clump, ensure each section has roots attached. Drop all sections into a mild solution of Phosacid bath to kill any Phytopthera etc., from the field collection. Drain. Keep moist during preparation.
For nursery stock, remove from the pot. Carefully divide up and cut the root system with a sharp knife for each clump, ensure each section has roots attached. Remove damaged roots. Cut off the top 1/2 of foliage. Keep moist during preparation.
Premium Potting Mix
Keep hydrated during prep. Pot up as soon as possible. Water in with dilute 30ml Seasol and 10ml Plant Starter solution to 5 lt. water. Place outside in light shaded area and keep moist until re-established.
Strike Rate:- Field Stock 40 – 60% strike rate.
Nursery Stock 95% strike rate
Rooting time:- Field Stock 5 – 8 weeks
Nursery Stock 3 - 5 weeks
Division Yield per 140mm Pot:- 2 – 4 plants
For nursery stock division is best. Seed set can be low even if berries are present.
Under nursery conditions, division may be done late March – early April, into 70mm tubes to allow the root system growth time before field planting for revegetation projects.