Indigenous name: Peeintuk (Ngarindjeri). Mangard (Noongar)
Common names: Black Anther Flax-Lily, Blueberry Lily, Blue Flax‑lily, Spreading Flax‑lily
Taxonomic name: Dianella revoluta or Dianella brevicaulis
Family: Asphodelaceae (Hemerocallidoideae)
Related herbs: Short Stem Flax-lily (D. brevicaulis). Day Lillies, N.Z Flax. Grass Trees, Asparagus.
Area of origin: All of Australia except the Northern Territory.
Habitat: Mallee, sclerophyll woodlands
Form: Clumping grass-like
Flowering Time: Spring to Summer
Parts used: Berries, roots, leaves
Has been used medicinally for: Headaches, colds and flu symptoms. Extract of the root of Dianella revoluta have been shown to be active against polio virus in vitro.
Healing Actions: anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antiviral, analgesic, nutritive, demulcent
TCM: nourishes Yin (mild), clears heat, supports fluids.
Taste: Berries – sweet. Roots – slightly bitter (sometimes nutty). Base of leaves – bland/nutty
Energetics: Cooling, moistening, dispersing
Tissue states: Hot, dry, congested
Organ/System affinities: Kidney, Liver, Stomach. Immune system, skin, digestive system
Healing constituents: Anthocyanins (Delphinidin derivatives, Cyanidin derivatives) Saponins, flavonoids. Polysaccharides (sugars and mucilage).
Contraindications and warnings: Not every Dianella species produces berries suitable for human consumption (one site lists D. intermedia fruit as causing the death of a child). Several species contain neurotoxins, and eating the fruits has resulted in dizziness and walking in circles.
Unripe berries may cause GI upset. High saponin in the roots may cause diarrhoea
Drug/herb interactions: Saponins may affect drug absorption Antiviral properties may affect other anti-virals/immune drugs.
Description
Dianella revoluta and Dianella brevicaulis, commonly known as ‘Black Anther Flax-lily’ and ‘Coast Flax-lily’, respectively, are two plants that are of great use as bushfood and medicine. There’s also D. longifolia but that’s less common.
Dianella revoluta has is a clumping perennial that looks like a grass but isnt’ (it’s related to Asparagus!). Stiff, blue-green, blade-like leaves grow up to waist high from a rolled leaf base
Distinctive purple flowers are held above them to about 90 cm. On D. brevicaulis, the leaves are about 50 cm tall and the flowers are clustered down amongst them.. Flowers have 6 purple petals and distinctive yellow and black stamens and can be seen from August to January.
Flowers are born on branched panicles above the leaves (D. brevicaulis has them below the top of the leaves). Star shaped, symmetrical and tepalate (not petals and sepals, they are all very similar) and arranged in whorls of 3. Tepals are narrow and blue/violet in colour.
Six stamens, opposite the tepals. Anthers are black or deep purple (the characteristic feature). Edible, globe-like berries with seeds. Berries begin green then mature to blue, then purple, almost black. Berries are shiny and hairless and persist into mid-summer locally.
Medicinal uses
This is where traditional knowledge and experience trump AI. I was looking for research papers for this plant, specifically about the medicinal properties of I and couldn’t find much that was current. So I asked Co-pilot to take a look for some for me. It swore blind that there are neither recorded names nor recorded medicinal uses for Peeintuk and also that there had been no research on the constituents. The latter may have been true (my list is inferred form actions, effects and and research done on a similar species).
However many years of personal use added to the knowledge shared to me by my Elders told me that, while little academic information was available, real world knowledge exists and has for millennia.
The blue/black, ripe, berries of both are delicious and abundant in summer. In D. brevicaulus, they nestle down amongst the leaves. On D. revoluta, they stand on the flower stems above the leaves. They have antiviral properties and like many foods that are red or purple, have lots of antioxidants.
The white piece at the bottom of the leaves tastes a little like nuts and has a strong antiviral property. When we’re out bush, we are constantly chewing on both it and the berries to keep our immunity up and colds away. The rhizomes and roots are edible after a good cleaning too.
Preparing and using Black Anther Flax-Lily
Synergy: Possibly with Elderberries or Echinacea as a preventative for respiratory infections.
The rhizomes and roots of Dianella plants were traditionally pounded and roasted on hot stones and eaten as strengthening food.
Traditionally, the leaves were split lengthwise, then rolled to make string.
Decoction of leaves can relieve headaches headaches and decoctions of the roots have been used traditionally for colds.
Fresh berries, when purple are sweet. The seeds can be eaten too, having a nutty taste. I haven’t dried seeds as of yet but it’s on my ‘to-do’ list.
Leaf base is chewed both to prevent a cold and when one is present.
Leaves are also also used for fibre making, especially for making string.
Other herb pages on Ligaya Garden
We cover a lot of ground on many herb related topics here on our website. There are whole pages devoted to different topics as well as frequent posts. Some of the links are –
