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August 10, 2009 : Dianella caerulea
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Plant Family / Families: Hemerocallidaceae
Scientific Name and Author: Dianella caerulea Sims
Institution: San Francisco Botanical Garden
Name Location: San Francisco, California, United States of America
J.G. took today's almost unreal Botany Photo of the Day at the San Francisco Botanical Garden in California, and then posted it in our Flickr Pool one day in late July. Thanks again, J.G.!
Today we feature another plant whose taxonomic classification remains a site of some contestation. At issue here, it seems, is the independent and autonomous status of the family Hemerocallidaceae, which derives its name from the daylily genus, Hemerocallis. The eponymous genus is regularly included in Liliaceae, but the relevant species are also commonly and variously considered members of Xanthorrhoeaceae or Phormiaceae. Whatever the proper classification, the plants themselves are equipped with terminal inflorescences that put forth perfect (bisexual) flowers composed, in part, of six recurved tepals and prominent nectaries. Species, which include New Zealand flax (Phormium ssp.), generally produce many-seeded berry or capsule fruit.
Dianella consists of about 30 rhizomatous herb or subshrub species, many of which are, like today's plant, native to Australia. Plants variously enjoy a wide range of habitats and soil conditions, thriving both in dry woodlands and moist lowland forests. Species exhibit strap-like, deep-green leaves and up-curved blue, purple, or white 6-tepaled flowers that hang an inch or so above the yellow-hued stamens and the attractive berries.
Dianella caerulea—an evergreen perennial herb whose 7 varieties flower throughout the spring and summer—is distributed throughout Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and Tasmania. Additionally, the plant, which is commonly known as the paroo lily, has a long history of cultivation in Great Britain that extends as far back as the last quarter of the 18th century. The species, which requires little maintenance in cultivation, is hardy both to drought and to frost.
Should you like to have a look at J.G.'s original image, click here.
Posted by Stephen Coughlin (summer student 2009) at August 10, 2009 7:00 AM
Comments
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Posted by: ThreePaths at August 10, 2009 7:47 AM
Beautiful flower, beautiful photograph, and great write-up.
Posted by: annie morgan at August 10, 2009 8:12 AM
Wow -- stunning! You can see the light glisten on the purple tepals, especially on the original-size photo on Flickr (follow the last link in the write-up). On Flickr, the whole series of 4 on this plant is lovely and interesting to see.
Posted by: Mary Ann, in Toronto at August 10, 2009 8:24 AM
Wow. GREAT close-up shot! So crisp you can almost reach out & touch it!
Posted by: Linda T. at August 10, 2009 8:50 AM
This is one of the most amazing photographs I've seen here. Gorgeous flower, superb photo - thank you!
Posted by: Jane at August 10, 2009 10:49 AM
just look at what i found in my mail box
beautiful the colors are so crisp and clean
the early english water color artists
must have loved this plant
Posted by: elizabeth a airhart at August 10, 2009 3:13 PM
Thanks to all for your generous comments...this was a truly fascinating, exquisitely formed--and tiny--subject. I hope that you will check out the entire series of photos--especially the brilliantly colored fruit...
Posted by: James Gaither at August 10, 2009 4:55 PM
This is a beautiful photo and I like the seletive focas of the flower. The colours are so nice.
Thank you,
Margaret-Rae
Posted by: Margaret-Rae Davis at August 10, 2009 5:03 PM
Yes, everyone should definitely go to the Flickr site to see the fruit. It is unbelievable. Something out of a fairy tale.
Posted by: Deborah Lievens at August 10, 2009 5:16 PM
just to echo the two previous comments on the fruit - many people miss the flowers but just about NO one misses the fruit (flowers are relatively small, fruit is a larger mass and a real garden-stroller-stopper)
Posted by: Quin at August 10, 2009 8:40 PM
Thanks for a great photo and interesting write-up.
Posted by: MsWinterfinch at August 11, 2009 3:25 AM
James, I'd be interested to know which camera you used for these shots. Thanks in advance.
Posted by: Tanja at August 11, 2009 3:45 PM
James, I'd be interested to know which camera you used for these lovely shots. Thanks in advance.
Posted by: Tanja at August 11, 2009 3:45 PM
Tanja, Stephen included a link to J.G.'s original image. All the photographic information you could want is available there - the camera and all the settings. Look for it on the right hand side of the page, under the tags.
Posted by: Wendy Cutler 
at August 11, 2009 10:16 PM
Please share your comments about the photograph(s) and accompanying write-up. Telling a story about the subject of the photograph(s) is also much appreciated! If you have a gardening question, the best place to ask is on the UBC Botanical Garden Forums. Thank you!
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Botany Photo of the Day and associated images by UBC Botanical Garden staff are licensed under a Creative Commons License. Images and text by non-UBC contributors are copyright the respective photographers / authors (but often have Creative Commons licenses if contributed via Flickr).
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Botany Photo of the Day is a project of the UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research, located in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada. UBC BGCPR is a department of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems within The University of British Columbia.
What a beautiful flower. Thanks for sharing.