Dianella congesta
R.Br.
Asphodelaceae
Dianella caerulea congesta (R.Br.) F.M.Bailey
Dianella nemorosa congesta (R.Br.) Schlittler
Common Name: Beach Flax Lily
General Information
Dianella congesta is an evergreen, mat-forming perennial plant with a rhizomatous rootstock; it can grow up to 100cm tall, spreading widely to form mats of growth that can be 20 metres or more wide[
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials. It is a very effective sand binder in coastal situations and is also sometimes grown as an ornamental.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
265- Title
- Flora of the Sydney Region
- Publication
-
- Author
- Carolin. R. & Tindale. M.
- Publisher
- Reed. Australia.
- Year
- 1993
- ISBN
- 0730104001
- Description
- Concise flora with little beyond an extensive key, species descriptions, very brief habitat description.
,
Range
Australia - eastern New South Wales, southeast Queensland.
Habitat
Stabilized coastal sand dunes, forming mats in gregarious colonies that are often extensive[
193- Title
- Wild Food Plants of Australia.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Low. T.
- Publisher
- Angus and Robertson.
- Year
- 1989
- ISBN
- 0-207-14383-8
- Description
- Well presented, clear information and good photographs. An interesting read for the casual reader as well as the enthusiast
,
265- Title
- Flora of the Sydney Region
- Publication
-
- Author
- Carolin. R. & Tindale. M.
- Publisher
- Reed. Australia.
- Year
- 1993
- ISBN
- 0730104001
- Description
- Concise flora with little beyond an extensive key, species descriptions, very brief habitat description.
]
Properties
Edibility Rating | |
Other Uses Rating | |
Habit | Evergreen Perennial |
Height | 0.80 m |
Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Dianella congesta is a native of the warm temperate to subtropical climate of eastern Australia, where it is restricted to the coastal belt[
].
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil in sun or dappled shade[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Requires a well-drained neutral to acid soil[
188- Title
- The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers
- Publication
-
- Author
- Brickell. C.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-86318-386-7
- Description
- Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.
]. Requires a sunny sheltered position when grown outdoors in Britain[
175- Title
- Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed')
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bird. R. (Editor)
- Publisher
- Thompson and Morgan.
- Year
- 1991
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Corydalis spp.
].
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[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw or cooked. The best tasting of the genus[
193- Title
- Wild Food Plants of Australia.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Low. T.
- Publisher
- Angus and Robertson.
- Year
- 1989
- ISBN
- 0-207-14383-8
- Description
- Well presented, clear information and good photographs. An interesting read for the casual reader as well as the enthusiast
]. The fruit is up to 15mm in diameter[
193- Title
- Wild Food Plants of Australia.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Low. T.
- Publisher
- Angus and Robertson.
- Year
- 1989
- ISBN
- 0-207-14383-8
- Description
- Well presented, clear information and good photographs. An interesting read for the casual reader as well as the enthusiast
].
Medicinal
None known
Agroforestry Uses:
The plant is restricted in the wild to maritime habitats where, because of its matting characteristics, it is a very effective sand-binder[
].
Other Uses
A very strong silky fibre is obtained from the leaves. The leaves are also used in making baskets[
193- Title
- Wild Food Plants of Australia.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Low. T.
- Publisher
- Angus and Robertson.
- Year
- 1989
- ISBN
- 0-207-14383-8
- Description
- Well presented, clear information and good photographs. An interesting read for the casual reader as well as the enthusiast
].
Propagation
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[
175- Title
- Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed')
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bird. R. (Editor)
- Publisher
- Thompson and Morgan.
- Year
- 1991
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Corydalis spp.
]. 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[
188- Title
- The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers
- Publication
-
- Author
- Brickell. C.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-86318-386-7
- Description
- Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.
]. 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.
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