Common Name:

General Information

Dianella ensifolia is an evergreen, perennial herb with grass-like leaves growing from a branched, gradually spreading rhizome. It can grow up to 1.5 metres tall, spreading at the roots to form quite large clumps[].
The plant is sometimes gathered from the wild for use as a medicine, insect, pesticide and dye. It is grown as an ornamental, especially in rockeries[].

Known Hazards

The plant is considered poisonous in China, and cattle are said to die from eating it[].

Botanical References

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Range

Southern tropical Africa, through tropical and subtropical Asia to Indonesia and the Philippines.

Habitat

Low altitude evergreen rainforest, often beside rivers, in deep shade of forest floor, usually forming dense stands[]. Forests and grassy slopes from near sea level to elevations of 1,700 metres in southern China[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in tropical and subtropical climates.
Grows best in a sunny position[]. Succeeds in any moderately fertile soil[].
The plant has a long flowering season, sometimes flowering all year round[]].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Some caution should be employed if using this plant internally due to reports of toxicity[].
The dried fibrous roots are chewed as a vermifuge[]. A decoction is also drunk as a post-partum aid - the taste is sweetish[].
Applied externally, the roots are used to make a poultice that is placed on the abdomen to act as a vermifuge[].

The ashes of the roots and leaves are applied as an ointment for treating boils, itch, jaundice, herpes sores and rheumatism[].

The leaves are applied to wounds[].

The whole plant is an ingredient in a treatment for chronic infections of the skin[].
The plant was formerly taken internally in China in the treatment of dysentery, dysuria, leucorrhoea and blenorrhoea, but nowadays it is only applied externally, in pounded form, to treat scrofulous glands[]

An infusion of the stem is recommended to treat fatigue[].

Other Uses

The juice from the berries is a source of a pale blue dye[].
The above report is somewhat suspect. It is listed for the species D. nemorosa, which is a synonym of this species. It goes on to say that the dye is used by Hawaiians, but the plant is not native to Hawaii. It further quotes D. sandwicensis as a synonym for this species, whereas D. sandwicensis is a recognised species that is found in Hawaii. It is therefore likely that this report really refers to D. sandwicensis[].

The pounded fresh rhizome, mixed with rice, is roasted and used for killing mice and rats[].

The aromatic rhizomes and roots are ingredients in cosmetics and perfume[].
The leaves are boiled and used for fumigations (incense)[].

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 24 hours in lukewarm water and then sow in individual containers, placing 3 - 4 seeds in a pot. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 25°c[]. When large enough to handle, thin the seedlings to the best one or two and then grow on until large enough to plant out.
Division as the plants come into growth[]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on until they are rooting well.

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