Family: Asphodelaceae

Native to Australia and Tasmania, the flax lily is an herbaceous perennial. The evergreen leaves can be green or variegated. It blooms in the spring, producing blue flowers and fruit. It grows upright at a moderate rate. Progeny are created from both seeds and rhizomes. The Tasmanian Flax Lily grows best with some shade. This plant makes a beautiful border, mixed planting, groundcover, or specimen plant.

It tolerates some salt spray and can handle periods of drought, although it will do better when watered during dry periods. However, watering in full sun will damage the leaves, turning them brown, especially the variegated varieties.

Plant Uses:

• Container plant
• Hedge
• Ornamental
• Specimen

Plant Dangers:

• Toxic to animals

High Risk Traits:

• Bird-dispersed seeds (fleshy berries) facilitate spread.
  
• Shade tolerant, can establish in forest understories.
  
• Environmentally versatile – tolerates drought, moisture, sun, and shade.
  
• Intentionally planted as an ornamental, aiding introduction.
  
• Vegetative spread via underground stolons; can be dominant in gardens.
  
• Resprouts after frost/dieback (tolerates mutilation).

Low Risk Traits:

• Relies on specialist pollinators (buzz bees), but this may not limit spread if those bees are present.
  
• No evidence of naturalization despite repeated introductions.
  
• Not a weed (agricultural, environmental, or congeneric).
  
• No physical defenses (thorns, spines, burrs).
  
• No fire hazard – grows in moist habitats.
  
• Soil specific – requires well-drained conditions.