Dianella congesta
Beach Flax Lily
a perennial evergreen member of the Dianella genus in the family Phormiaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Phormiaceae
- Genus
- Dianella
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Height
- 1 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw or cooked. The best tasting of the genus[3]. The fruit is up to 1.5cm in diameter[3].
- Plant part
- Fruit
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A very strong silky fibre is obtained from the leaves. The leaves are also used in making baskets[3]. Judging by the plants native habit, this should be a good plant for stabilizing sand dunes[K].
- Product or use
- Basketry
- Product or use
- Fibre
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- Australia - New South Wales, Queensland.
- Habitat
- Stabilized coastal sand dunes, forming mats in gregarious colonies that are often extensive[3][5]
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - pre-soak for 24 hours in luke-warm water and then sow in spring in gentle heat in a greenhouse. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 25°c[1]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first two years. When large enough, plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Division as the plants come into growth in the spring[2]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors at least in the milder areas of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil in sun or dappled shade[4]. Requires a well-drained neutral to acid soil[2]. Requires a sunny sheltered position when grown outdoors in Britain[1]. Most members of this genus are not very cold-tolerant, but some can survive in sheltered stable environments in dappled shade, such as a woodland, if temperatures do not drop far below zero for long periods[4].
References
Bird. R. (Editor) Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed') Thompson and Morgan. 1991-00-00
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Low. T. Wild Food Plants of Australia. Angus and Robertson. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-207-14383-8
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Carolin. R. & Tindale. M. Flora of the Sydney Region Reed. Australia. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0730104001