Dianella nigra

Dianella nigra, commonly known as turutu, inkberry, and the New Zealand blueberry, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asphodelaceae. It is endemic to New Zealand. Its range mainly covers the North and South Islands. It is typically found in coastal to montane environments, and the species can colonise various different habitats. A perennial herb, the species is known for its vibrant violet-blue berries and long green leaves. Dianella nigra was first described in 1884 by the New Zealand botanist William Colenso. D. nigra's pollination strategy is not well-studied. Berries are recorded to be eaten by the silvereye, a small native bird. Despite this, there is a historical record from the late 1800s of an infant death linked to ingestion of the berries, as such, they may be poisonous to humans. Its 2023 conservation status in the New Zealand Threat Classification System is "Not Threatened".