Common name: Blue Flax Lily, Anther Flax Lily Family name: Liliaceae Botanical name: Dianella spp Dianella revoluta var. revoluta Flowering/fruiting season: October - December Location: Uncommon in ACT (Burbidge & Gray, 1976:100) Grassy hillsides, eg Aranda bushland '… found in all States in a variety of habitats from heath to open forests and woodlands' (Stewart & Percival, 1997:17)

Use:

• Food, technology, medicine
• Leaf fibres used, fruits eaten raw and the roots pounded and cooked on hot rocks (Fraser & McJannett, 1993:70)
• '… blue fruits and shiny black seeds of most Dianella species are eaten raw. They have a sweet flavour, which becomes nutty once the seed is chewed. (Stewart & Percival, 1997:17)
• 'The leaf was split into two down the midrib and rolled in the manner of string to make a tie.' (Zola & Gott, 1992:59)
• 'Dianella caerulea leaves are used to make a high-pitched whistle .'(Wreck Bay Community & Renwick, 2000:45)
• 'Roots boiled and drunk as tea as medicine for colds (D. longifolia)' (Gott, 1995)

Notes:
Although the fruit can be eaten, it is not a good idea to eat too many (Gott, 1995)

Language names:
murmbal : Lake Hindmarsh (Zola & Gott, 1992)

Horticulture :
Propagate from seed or by division; most situations suitable (Wrigley & Fagg, 1998:152)

Similar species:
Nodding Blue Lily Stypandra glauca has similar flowers, later in season; leaves form massive clump (Fraser & McJannett, 1993:71)

Use code:
FRT, ROOT, SEED

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