Dianella ensifolia

Dianella ensifolia (L.) Redouté

Common Names: Umbrella Dracaena, Flax Lily

Family: Asphodelaceae

Habit: Dianella ensifolia is a glabrous, perennial herb that produces a basal rosette of linear to lanceolate leaves from a spreading rhizome. The leaves are parallel veined, up to 6 cm wide and 80 cm long with an acuminate leaf apex and serrate margins. There are horticultural varieties with leaves that are variegated with a white leaf margin/edge.

The complete, perfect, actinomorphic, pendulant flowers are arranged in an open panicle that is up to 60 cm in height.  The calyx has 3 white to green sepals. The corolla has 3 white to pink petals. The calyx and corolla are both reflexed. There are 6 stamens The ovary is superior and has three locules containing multiple ovules each.  The fruit is a dark blue berry.

Habitat: Dianella ensifolia grows in Human Altered environments (yards and gardens).

Distribution: Dianella ensifolia is NOT native to the Lucayan Archipelago.  It is native to the Indian subcontinent, Asia, southern Africa, and the south Pacific

Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage:   Dianella ensifolia is not known to be used medicinally in the Lucayan Archipelago.

Dianella ensifolia is commonly used in the horticultural industry.