It is native to southern China, India, Japan, Madagascar, Malesia, the Pacific Islands, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and tropical Asia.

[1] Dianella ensifolia is a terrestrial plant that can grow in grasslands, or primary rainforests in tropical areas.

[2] The compounds found in D. ensifolia can be correlated with different taxonomic levels, including the species, genus, and family.

Further, the aromatics, chromones, and flavonoids were first isolated from the species itself of the genus, and thus, could serve as markers for the identification of Dianella ensifolia.

The main components of the plant essential oil were identified as allo-aromadendrene (7.3%), Geranylacetone (6.2%), Hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (4.4%), Longifolene (4.2%), and β-caryophyllene (4.0%).

The extract of Dianella ensifolia, 1-(2,4-dihydrophenyl)-3-(2,4- dimethoxy-3-methylphenyl) propane (DP), was found to inhibit a free radical, which is linked to hyperpigmentation, and ultraviolet-C induced lipid oxidation.