| The only
members of the small family Luzuriagaceae in Tasmania is Drymophila
cyanocarpa. This is a common and distinctive native species that grows
in the understorey of wet forests virtually throughout Tasmania. Its
stem is initially erect, but droops till it is more or less
horizontal. It bears a row of flat leaves on either side. The
flowers are cream and held underneath the stem. The fruit is a
conspicuous blue berry that is hangs under the stem. Asteliaceae was once considered to be part of Liliaceae, which was
a very artificial grouping of plants and has therefore been
splintered in numerous families. To see the fates of the other
Tasmanian genera formerly in Liliaceae click
here. |
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