Dianella ensifolia

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Common Name: cerulean flaxlily

Family: Hemerocallidaceae

Common Synonyms: none

USDA Hardiness Zone: 9b - 11

Growth Habit: Herb

Origin: Asia and Africa

FISC Category: -

FDACS Listed Noxious Weed: No

Introduction Date: at least 1962

IFAS Assessment:

  • North: INVASIVE
  • Central: INVASIVE
  • South: INVASIVE
NA
FNAI

Description

Leaf blades 50-80 cm tall, finely serrated, basal sheath purple. Inflorescence a panicle 10-15 cm tall with light blue flowers. Fruits succulent, violet-blue berry with shiny, black seeds.

Habitat

Scrub, wet prairie, moist hammock, mostly in disturbed areas

Comments

Common landscape plant but so far only vouchered from Manatee, Highlands, and Dade Co, maybe possible to prevent establishment. Propagated via seed or vegetatively by rhizomes. Seeds dispersed by birds.

Map of species distribution

Control Methods

  • Manual: NA
  • Chemical: Biannual foliar treatment (imazapyr 3.2 gal/L,), metsulfuron (0.08 g/L). Must follow-up regularly with spot treatments (Hutchinson, et al.).
  • Biological: NA

Control Notes

NA

References

Dave's Garden. 2013. PlantFiles: Umbrella Dracaena, Dianella ensifolia. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/94706/. Accessed on December 3, 2013.

Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. 1993+. Flora of North America North of Mexico. 16+ vols. New York and Oxford.

Hutchinson, J.T., E.A. Gandy, and K.A. Langeland. 2011. Herbicide management of umbrella Dracaena (Dianella ensifolia) in a Florida State Park. Invasive Plant Science and Management 4: 349-355.