''Dianella'' is a genus of about forty species of flowering plants in the monocot family Asphodelaceae and are commonly known as flax lilies. Plants in this genus are tufted

herbs In general use, herbs are a widely distributed and widespread group of plants, excluding vegetables and other plants consumed for macronutrients, with savory or aromatic properties that are used for flavoring and garnishing food, for medicinal ...

with more or less linear leaves and

bisexual Bisexuality is a romantic or sexual attraction or behavior toward both males and females, or to more than one gender. It may also be defined to include romantic or sexual attraction to people regardless of their sex or gender identity, whi ...

flowers with three sepals more or less similar to three petals and a superior ovary, the fruit a

berry A berry is a small, pulpy, and often edible fruit. Typically, berries are juicy, rounded, brightly colored, sweet, sour or tart, and do not have a stone or pit, although many pips or seeds may be present. Common examples are strawberries, raspb ...

. They occur in Africa, South-east Asia, the Pacific Islands, New Zealand and Australia. Several species of this genus, or the whole genus, are sometimes referred to by the common name blue flax lily, particularly in Australia.

Description

Plants in the genus ''Dianella'' are tufted perennial, rhizomatous herbs with fibrous or fleshy roots, more or less linear leaves with their bases overlapping, bisexual flowers with three sepals more or less similar to three blue, purple or white petals and a superior ovary, and the fruit a berry.

Taxonomy

The name ''Dianella'' was first formally published by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1786 in his '' Encyclopédie Méthodique'', but this did not validly establish the name because Lamarck did not include a description of the new genus.Rodney J.F. Henderson. 1977. Typification of ''Dianella'' Lam. ex Juss. (Liliaceae). '' Taxon'' 26(1):131-137.

Antoine Laurent de Jussieu Antoine Laurent de Jussieu (; 12 April 1748 – 17 September 1836) was a French botanist, notable as the first to publish a natural classification of flowering plants; much of his system remains in use today. His classification was based on an e ...

made it a correct name in 1789 when he published a description in the first edition of his '' Genera Plantarum''. The name ''Dianella'' is a reference to the Roman goddess Diana with the suffix ''ella'' meaning "small". The genus ''Dianella'' is closely related to ''

Thelionema ''Thelionema'' is a small genus of tufted perennials in the family Asphodelaceae, subfamily Hemerocallidoideae. All three species, which were previously placed in the genus ''Stypandra'', are native to Australia Australia, officially ...

'' and ''

Herpolirion ''Herpolirion'' is a genus of perennial herbs in the family Asphodelaceae, subfamily Hemerocallidoideae. The sole species is ''Herpolirion novae-zelandiae'', commonly known as sky lily. It is native to New Zealand as well as the states of New So ...

''.Dion S. Devey, Ilia Leitch, Paula J. Rudall, J. Chris Pires, Yohan Pillon, and Mark W. Chase. "Systematics of Xanthorrhoeaceae sensu lato, with an emphasis on ''Bulbine''". ''Aliso'' 22(''Monocots: Comparative Biology and Evolution''):345-351. ISSN 0065-6275.

Distribution and habitat

Plants in the genus ''Dianella'' occur in Africa, South-east Asia, the Pacific Islands including Hawaii, New Zealand and Australia. About half of the species are

native Native may refer to: People * Jus soli, citizenship by right of birth * Indigenous peoples, peoples with a set of specific rights based on their historical ties to a particular territory ** Native Americans (disambiguation) In arts and entert ...

to Australia.Starting out with Natives, John Wriggley & Murray Fagg

Species list

The following is a list of ''Dianella'' species accepted by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families as at October 2020: * ''

Dianella acutifolia Dianella may refer to: * ''Dianella'' (beetle), a species and genus of beetle in the family Carabidae now known as ''Diamella'' * ''Dianella'' (gastropod), a genus of freshwater snails in the family Hydrobiidae * ''Dianella'' (plant), a genus of ...

'' Schlittler - New Caledonia * ''

Dianella adenanthera Dianella may refer to: * ''Dianella'' (beetle), a species and genus of beetle in the family Carabidae now known as ''Diamella'' * ''Dianella'' (gastropod), a genus of freshwater snails in the family Hydrobiidae * ''Dianella'' (plant), a genus of ...

'' (G.Forst.) R.J.F.Hend. - numerous Pacific Islands * ''

Dianella amoena ''Dianella amoena'', commonly known as the matted flax-lily, is an endangered, herbaceous, perennial plant endemic to Australia. It belongs to the family Asphodelaceae, subfamily Hemerocallidoideae. It has long grey-green leaves which grow in clu ...

'' G.W.Carr & P.F.Horsfall - Tasmania, Victoria * ''

Dianella atraxis Dianella may refer to: * ''Dianella'' (beetle), a species and genus of beetle in the family Carabidae now known as ''Diamella'' * ''Dianella'' (gastropod), a genus of freshwater snails in the family Hydrobiidae * ''Dianella'' (plant), a genus of ...

'' R.J.F.Hend. - Queensland * ''

Dianella bambusifolia Dianella may refer to: * ''Dianella'' (beetle), a species and genus of beetle in the family Carabidae now known as ''Diamella'' * ''Dianella'' (gastropod), a genus of freshwater snails in the family Hydrobiidae * ''Dianella'' (plant), a genus of ...

'' Hallier f. - Queensland, New Guinea * ''

Dianella brevicaulis ''Dianella brevicaulis'', commonly known as the coast flax-lily, is a tufted, rhizome, rhizomatous, perennial plant, perennial herbaceous plant, herb with fibrous roots and blue-purple flowers. Its long leaves form a soft, green tussock which co ...

'' (Ostenf.) G.W.Carr & P.F.Horsfall - southern Australia * ''

Dianella brevipedunculata ''Dianella brevipedunculata'' is a species of flax lily native to Eastern Australia. It is known as the blue flax lily. The species grows up to half a meter in height, with leaves up to 1 meter in length. Roots are fibrous, and the flowers are p ...

'' R.J.F.Hend. - Queensland * ''

Dianella caerulea ''Dianella caerulea'', commonly known as the blue flax-lily, blueberry lily, or paroo lily, is a perennial herb of the family Asphodelaceae, subfamily Hemerocallidoideae, found across the eastern states of Australia and Tasmania. It is a herbaceo ...

'' Sims - New Guinea, eastern Australia ** ''Dianella caerulea'' var. ''aquilonia'' R.J.F.Hend. ** ''Dianella caerulea'' var. ''assera'' R.J.F.Hend. ** ''Dianella caerulea'' Sims var. ''caerulea'' ** ''Dianella caerulea'' var. ''cinerascans'' R.J.F.Hend. ** ''Dianella caerulea'' var. ''petasmatodes'' R.J.F.Hend. ** ''Dianella caerulea'' var. ''producta'' R.J.F.Hend. ** ''Dianella caerulea'' var. ''protensa'' R.J.F.Hend. ** ''Dianella caerulea'' var. ''vannata'' R.J.F.Hend. * '' Dianella callicarpa'' G.W.Carr & P.F.Horsfall - Victoria * ''

Dianella carolinensis Dianella may refer to: * ''Dianella'' (beetle), a species and genus of beetle in the family Carabidae now known as ''Diamella'' * ''Dianella'' (gastropod), a genus of freshwater snails in the family Hydrobiidae * ''Dianella'' (plant), a genus of ...

'' Lauterb. - Micronesia * '' Dianella congesta'' R.Br. - Queensland, New South Wales * ''

Dianella crinoides Dianella may refer to: * ''Dianella'' (beetle), a species and genus of beetle in the family Carabidae now known as ''Diamella'' * ''Dianella'' (gastropod), a genus of freshwater snails in the family Hydrobiidae * ''Dianella'' (plant), a genus of ...

'' R.J.F.Hend. - Queensland, New South Wales * '' Dianella daenikeri'' Schlittler - New Caledonia * ''

Dianella dentata Dianella may refer to: * ''Dianella'' (beetle), a species and genus of beetle in the family Carabidae now known as ''Diamella'' * ''Dianella'' (gastropod), a genus of freshwater snails in the family Hydrobiidae * ''Dianella'' (plant), a genus of ...

'' Schlittler - southeastern China * ''

Dianella ensifolia ''Dianella ensifolia'' is a flowering plant, of the family Asphodelaceae. It is native to southern China, India, Japan, Madagascar, Malesia, the Pacific Islands, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and tropical Asia. Its common names include umbrella ...

'' (L.) DC. (syn. ''D. ensata'') Chimanimani Mountains of southern Africa; Indian Subcontinent, China, Madagascar, Southeast Asia, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Japan, islands in Indian Ocean * '' Dianella fruticans'' R.J.F.Hend. - Queensland * '' Dianella haematica'' Heenan & de Lange - North Island of New Zealand * '' Dianella incollata'' R.J.F.Hend. - Queensland * '' Dianella intermedia'' Endl. - Norfolk Island of Australia * '' Dianella javanica'' (Blume) Kunth - Southeast Asia, Papuasia * '' Dianella latissima'' Heenan & de Lange - North Island of New Zealand * ''

Dianella longifolia ''Dianella longifolia'', commonly known as blueberry lily, pale flax lily or smooth flax lily, or blue flax-lily, (although other species, or the whole genus '' Dianella'' are also referred to by this last name) is a species of flowering plant i ...

'' R.Br. - widespread in Australia ** ''Dianella longifolia'' var. ''fragrans'' R.J.F.Hend. ** ''Dianella longifolia'' var. ''grandis'' R.J.F.Hend. ** ''Dianella longifolia'' R.Br. var. ''longifolia'' ** ''Dianella longifolia'' var. ''stenophylla'' Domin ** ''Dianella longifolia'' var. ''stupata'' R.J.F.Hend. ** ''Dianella longifolia'' var. ''surculosa'' R.J.F.Hend. * '' Dianella monophylla'' Hallier f. - New Guinea * '' Dianella nervosa'' R.J.F.Hend. - Queensland, New South Wales * '' Dianella nigra'' Colenso - North + South Islands of New Zealand * '' Dianella odorata'' Blume - Maluku, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Queensland, Northern Territory * '' Dianella pavopennacea'' R.J.F.Hend. - Queensland ** ''Dianella pavopennacea'' var. ''major'' R.J.F.Hend. ** ''Dianella pavopennacea'' R.J.F.Hend. var. ''pavopennacea'' ** ''Dianella pavopennacea'' var. ''robusta'' R.J.F.Hend. * '' Dianella pendula'' Schlittler - îles Loyauté of New Caledonia * '' Dianella plicata'' Schlittler - New Caledonia * ''

Dianella porracea Dianella may refer to: * ''Dianella'' (beetle), a species and genus of beetle in the family Carabidae now known as ''Diamella'' * ''Dianella'' (gastropod), a genus of freshwater snails in the family Hydrobiidae * ''Dianella'' (plant), a genus of ...

'' (R.J.F.Hend.) Horsfall & G.W.Carr - Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia * '' Dianella prunina'' R.J.F.Hend. - New South Wales * ''

Dianella rara Dianella may refer to: * ''Dianella'' (beetle), a species and genus of beetle in the family Carabidae now known as ''Diamella'' * ''Dianella'' (gastropod), a genus of freshwater snails in the family Hydrobiidae * ''Dianella'' (plant), a genus of ...

'' R.Br. - Queensland * ''

Dianella revoluta ''Dianella revoluta'', commonly known as blueberry lily, blue flax-lily, or black-anther flax-lily, a species of flowering plant in the family Asphodelaceae and is endemic to, and widespread in Australia. It is a tufted, perennial herb with gras ...

'' R.Br. - widespread in Australia ** ''Dianella revoluta'' var. ''divaricata'' R.J.F.Hend. ** ''Dianella revoluta'' var. ''minor'' R.J.F.Hend. ** ''Dianella revoluta'' (R.Br.) R.J.F.Hend.var. ''revoluta'' ** ''Dianella revoluta'' var. ''tenuis'' R.J.F.Hend. ** ''Dianella revoluta'' var. ''vinosa'' R.J.F.Hend. * '' Dianella saffordiana'' Fosberg & Sachet - Guam * ''

Dianella sandwicensis Dianella may refer to: * ''Dianella'' (beetle), a species and genus of beetle in the family Carabidae now known as ''Diamella'' * ''Dianella'' (gastropod), a genus of freshwater snails in the family Hydrobiidae * ''Dianella'' (plant), a genus of ...

'' Hook. & Arn. - New Caledonia, Hawaiian Islands, Marquesas * '' Dianella serrulata'' Hallier f. - Queensland, New Guinea * '' Dianella stipitata'' Schlittler - New Caledonia * ''

Dianella tarda Dianella may refer to: * ''Dianella'' (beetle), a species and genus of beetle in the family Carabidae now known as ''Diamella'' * ''Dianella'' (gastropod), a genus of freshwater snails in the family Hydrobiidae * ''Dianella'' (plant), a genus of ...

'' Horsfall & G.W.Carr - New South Wales, Victoria * ''

Dianella tasmanica ''Dianella tasmanica'', commonly known as the Tasman flax-lily or Tasmanian flax-lily is a herbaceous strappy perennial herb of the family Asphodelaceae, subfamily Hemerocallidoideae, found in southeastern Australia including Tasmania. It has lea ...

'' Hook.f. - Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales * '' Dianella tenuissima'' G.W.Carr - New South Wales

Uses

Several species of ''Dianella'' are grown for their attractive foliage and shiny, blue to purple berries. Anthony Huxley, Mark Griffiths, and Margot Levy (1992). ''The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening''. The Macmillan Press, Limited: London. The Stockton Press: New York. (set). Reports of the edibility of the fruit range from very poisonous to sweet and nutty (such as ''D. caerulea''), and the beach flax lily (''D. congesta'') is reportedly the best-tasting.Wild food plants of Australia, Tim Low The leaves are used to weave dillies and baskets by Indigenous Australians.

References

External links

Australian plants online
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dianella (Plant) Asphodelaceae genera