Caesia calliantha

Blue Grass-lily

Tufted perennial herb with fibrous roots ending in thick tubers.

SynonymCaesia vittata
FamilyAsphodelaceae (syn. Hemerocallidaceae, Liliaceae, Anthericaceae)
StoreyLower storey
Size10-70 cm x 10-50 cm
Plant groupingLilies & Irises
LeavesNarrow flat bluish leaves 8-50 cm x 3-15 mm, shiny green below, upright to spreading. Leaves die off annually after flowering.
Flower colourBlue to purplish with darker veins
Flowering timeSeptember to January
FlowersStout, erect flowering stem with leafy bracts, occasionally branched. Star-like flowers to 20 mm wide, in clusters of 2-3. Petals tightly spiralled after flowering.
Bird attractingNo
Butterfly attractingNo
Frog habitatNo
Growing conditionsWinter moist, summer dry soils in grassy forests. Full sun, semi shade.
Garden useRockery or cottage garden plant, attractive planted in drifts. Flowering is improved with summer moisture.
Commercially availableSpecialist Australian plant nursery
Conservation statusSignificant within the Shire. Known from very few local sites. More common to the west of Melbourne.
Aboriginal Use Food - tubers