Caesia calliantha R.J.F.Hend.

Rhizome simple; roots fibrous, ? most with fusiform tubers 1-4 cm long towards tips. Leaves 8-50 cm long; lamina 3-15 mm wide, ascending to arched; sheath ±papery. Inflorescence 15-70 cm tall; axis becoming stout, simple or 1-several-branched; lower bracts to 40 cm long; clusters 1-3-flowered, the lowest subtended by linear subulate bracts to 60 mm long; upper bracts linear to ovate-attenuate, down to 2 mm long; pedicels slender, 8-12 mm long. Perianth segments narrowly elliptic, 6-10 mm long, usually blue or purple with darker nerves. Stamens 3-5 mm long; anthers 0.9-1.2 mm long; filaments narrowly fusiform, white usually with distal purple collar. Capsule strongly 3-lobed, 4-8 mm wide. Seed 1.5-2 mm wide; testa colliculate often with irregular low tubercles, dull.

Usually grows in the grassy understorey of sclerophyll forest on damp sandy or clay soils. Loamy soils or open woods in all parts of the country.

Can be grown by seedlings.