Caesia calliantha
Blue Grass-lily
Tufted perennial herb with fibrous roots ending in thick tubers.
Additional information
- 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
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1 Russell Best, NatureShare ©; 2 Barry Sheffield ©; 3 Marilyn Bull ©
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