Dianella nigra
| Dianella nigra | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asphodelaceae |
| Subfamily: | Hemerocallidoideae |
| Genus: | Dianella |
| Species: | D. nigra
|
| Binomial name | |
| Dianella nigra | |
Dianella nigra, commonly known as Turutu, New Zealand blueberry, or inkberry, is a species of flowering plant endemic to New Zealand.[1] It is known for its vibrant blue berries and fibrous green leaves, and is found throughout both the North and South Islands.[2] It is also found on offshore islands such as Stewart Island, Great Barrier Island, Rangitoto Island, and the Chatham Islands.[3]
Description
[edit]Dianella nigra is a tufted perennial herb that grows between 30 and 90 cm tall.[4] Its long, narrow green leaves grow in a fan-like arrangement and have parallel venation with entire margins.[4] The flower stalks extend above the foliage and bear small, star-shaped flowers approximately 1–2 cm in diameter.[5]These have six petals that range in color from pale purple to blue-violet, with a distinct yellow center.[6] The fruit are glossy, round berries 5–10 mm in diameter, turning bright blue to purple-black when mature.[6] Berries typically appear between January and April.[7]
Range
[edit]Natural global range
[edit]Dianella nigra is endemic to New Zealand, meaning it occurs naturally nowhere else in the world.[8]
New Zealand range
[edit]It is widespread across New Zealand, occurring in coastal to subalpine habitats on both main islands and several offshore islands, including Stewart Island, Great Barrier Island, Rangitoto Island and the Chatham Islands.[4]
Habitat
[edit]Dianella nigra thrives in various habitats including coastal shrublands, podocarp-broadleaf forests, beech forests, and subalpine zones up to 1000 m in elevation.[4] It prefers well-drained soil and a good moisture level with partial shade but can tolerate full sun.[5] It is often found in forest understories and disturbed areas, where it helps stabilize soil and support regeneration.[4] If it is cultivated it can also grow in an urban garden.[9]
Ecology
[edit]Life cycle/phenology
[edit]Seed germination is the beginning of the life cycle of Dianella nigra, which occurs in autumn (March–May).[10] Native birds such as kererū and tūī eat its blueberries and scatter seeds throughout the forest.[7] As the seeds pass through bird digestive systems, this helps to scarify the seeds. They remain dormant in the soil for several months before sprouting.[9] Young plants take their time growing, first building underground rhizomes and slender, lance-shaped leaves.[11] It takes approximately 3–5 years for individuals to reach reproductive maturity, at which point they produce tall flowering stems.[10] Flowering occurs from late spring to mid-summer (November–December), with insects such as bees doing the pollinating.[7] Following pollination, berries develop by late summer (February–April), turning iridescent blue to purple black, which attracts birds for seed more dispersal the plant to colonize new areas.[7] While aerial parts may die back under stress, the rhizome underground remains viable, which allows the plant to regenerate. The species is long-lived, it can live for several decades, with growth typically slowing during winter (June–August).[12]
Diet and foraging
[edit]Dianella nigra prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soils with low to medium nutrient levels, but it can grow in a variety of soil types.[5] It can grow in both acidic and neutral soils but it prefers slightly acidic to neutral soils. It is typically found in podocarp-broadleaf forests, coastal shrublands, and montane areas.[9] The species prefers well-drained soils and once established, can withstand seasonal drought.[13] It can tolerate sandy and clay soils if needed. It can withstand frost well and tolerate the cold temperatures. It also can handle wind exposure well which makes it suitable for more coastal environments.[13] It has a fibrous root system with rhizomes which can grow up to 150 mm or more.[4] This allows it to anchor in sandy or loose soils, such as coastal dunes and cliff edges.[11] This plant is well-suited to disturbed areas, often growing in forest margins and regenerating bush, where it helps to stabilize the soil and support ecosystem recovery.
Predators, parasites, and diseases
[edit]Dianella nigra is an important food source for various native and introduced species in New Zealand. Its fleshy blue berries are consumed by Native birds such as kererū, tūīand bellbirds, which play key roles in seed dispersal by spreading the seeds through excretion as they travel.[4] Small mammals including rats and possums may also eat the berries, which can sometimes affect new growth as they don’t disperse the seeds as widespread as birds.[4] Caterpillars from the Noctuidae and Crambidae families can be attracted to the leaves and consume them, as well as some introduced herbivores, such as deer and goats, which graze on the foliage causing damage to young plants.[4] Dianella nigra is also susceptible to parasitic fungi like rust, which cause leaf spots and reduce photosynthetic efficiency without actually killing the plant.[14] Scale insects and aphids can be found feeding on the plant’s vascular tissues, which may weaken growth but don’t threaten the plants survival.
Cultural uses
[edit]It is not used as a food source due to its bitterness and potential toxicity.[15] The berries of Dianella nigra were traditionally used by Māori to produce blue dye, possibly for tattooing practices such as ta moko. The striking color may have imbued the plant with tapu (sacred) qualities.[11] Additionally, the fibrous leaves were occasionally used for weaving small items, though flax (harakeke) was preferred.[16]
Interesting facts
[edit]- The plant contains deep blue anthocyanins, which have been studied for their unique chemical properties and pigmentation.[6]
- There is a historical record from the late 1800s of an infant death allegedly linked to ingestion of the berries.[17]
References
[edit]- ^ "Seed collection and propagation guide for grasses, sedges, lilies, flaxes, epiphytes and climbers". Govt.nz. DoC. 2025. Retrieved 2025-03-14.
- ^ Carnachan, Susan M; Hinkley, F R; Bell, T. J. (2019). "Polysaccharides from New Zealand Native Plants: A Review of Their Structure, Properties, and Potential Applications". ProQuest. 8 (6): 6–7.
- ^ "Seed collection and propagation guide for grasses, sedges, lilies, flaxes, epiphytes and climbers". Govt.nz. DoC. 2025. Retrieved 2025-03-14.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i de Lange, P.J. (2025). "Dianella nigra". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
- ^ a b c Proceedings Blueberry Field Day, Awakeri, 1978. Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries: Advisory Services Division Tauranga. 1978. p. 1.
- ^ a b c Bloor, S. J. (2001). "Deep blue anthocyanins from blue Dianella berries". Phytochemistry. 58 (6): 923–927. doi:10.1016/S0031-9422(01)00343-0.
- ^ a b c d "Dianella nigra Colenso". Flora of New Zealand. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ "Catalogue of Life - Dianella nigra". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ a b c Retamales, J. B.; Hancock, J. F. (2018) [2012]. Blueberries. Vol. 21. Boston, MA: CABI. pp. 53–54.
- ^ a b Gough, R. E.; Korcak, R. F. (1995). Blueberries. Vol. 3. The Haworth Press. pp. 24–27.
- ^ a b c Heenan, P. B.; de Lange, P. J. (2011). "Two new species of Dianella (Hemerocallidaceae) from New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Botany. 45: 269–285.
- ^ Cheeseman, Thomas F. (1914). Illustrations of the New Zealand Flora. Vol. 2. Government Printer.
- ^ a b de Lange, Peter; Heenan, Peter; Norton, David; Rolfe, Jeremy; Sawyer, John (2010). Threatened Plants of New Zealand. Canterbury University Press. pp. 24–31. ISBN 978-1-877257-56-8.
- ^ "Poisonous native plants". Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ Crowe, A. (2004). A field guide to the native edible plants of New Zealand. Auckland, N.Z.: Penguin. p. 159.
- ^ Crowe, Andrew (2004). A Field Guide to the Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Penguin Books. p. 159.
- ^ Wassilieff, M. (2007). "Poisonous native plants". Te Ara. Retrieved 2025-05-13.