photo by Lisa Bird

Berlandiera lyrata

Appearance: This very aromatic plant has bright green, flat spreading leaves with shallowly lobed edges.  The flowers are daisy-like, with green center and light yellow petals.  The underside of the petals have maroon markings on them.

Habitat: This plant is very drought tolerant and blooms profusely throughout the season.  The flowers have a wonderful chocolate scent are are edible.  Chocolate Flower prefers full sun and needs very little water.  Found on the Western plains to northern Mexico, in dry rocky soils.  Hardy to Zone 4.

Landscape Suitability: Chocolate Flower makes a great dry garden plant.  It mixes well with prairie grasses.  This plant does very well in wind, heat and full sun.  In cooler areas, use rock mulch to give the plant the heat they need to thrive.  Chocolate Flower also attracts butterflies and may be deer resistant.

Contributed by: Jan Roes, Colorado Native Plant Master

Source:  Native Plants for High Elevation Western Gardens, Fulcum Publishing, by Janice Busco and Nancy Morin, 2003.