Dianella latissima

Dianella latissima is a species of perennial herb in the family Asphodelaceae and the subfamily Hemerocallidoideae. It is evergreen, dense, tussock-like with horizontal rhizomes up to 100 mm long. Leaves are long and wide. They are green to light green, curved and hanging, with smooth, glossy blades. Leaf bases are pale green to yellow-green in colour. The inflorescences (flower clusters) can rise above the foliage. The panicles are long. Flowers are 9–11 mm in diameter. The sepals are 4.4–4.5 × 1.6–1.7 mm long. The glossy berries are 8–20 × 7–10 mm long, initially coloured grey-white or dull, then ripening to a violet-blue colour. The typically violet-blue colour of the berries of the Dianella genus is attributed to the anthocyanins and pigments in them. D. latissimas seeds are about 1.8–2.1 × 2.3–3.0 mm long. ==Taxonomy==

The Dianella genus was first established in 1789 by the French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck. D. haematica was first described in 2007 by Peter de Lange and Peter Brian Heenan. There are forty species of the Dianella genus currently accepted by the Plants of the World Online taxonomic database. This genus is widespread and is found in several countries in Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The genus Dianella is closely related to Thelionema and Herpolirion. Etymology The etymology (word origin) of D. latissimas genus name, Dianella, refers to the Roman goddess of the chase Diana. The specific epithet (second part of the scientific name), latissima, refers to the wide leaves which are the largest of the New Zealand species. The species is commonly known as blueberry and inkberry. ==Distribution==

Dianella latissima is endemic to New Zealand. It is mainly found in the northern North Island, but also occurs on some offshore islands, such as the Hen and Chickens Islands, and islands in the Hauraki Gulf such as Little Barrier, Great Barrier, Ponui, and Pakihi. The conservation status of D. latissima was assessed by the New Zealand Threat Classification System in 2023 as "Not Threatened". Habitat Dianella latissima is found in coastal to montane environments. It commonly associates with kauri (Agathis australis). ==Ecology==

Dianella latissimas pollination strategy is unknown, but its relative D. tasminca has a cleistogamy pollination strategy, and the flowers are capable of self-pollinating. The berries of D. latissima are dispersed by fruit-eating animals (frugivores). ==References==

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