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Flaigg, Norman G.

Berlandiera lyrata Benth.

Chocolate daisy, Chocolate flower, Lyreleaf greeneyes, Green-Eyed lyre leaf

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

USDA Symbol: BELY

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Lyre-leaf greeneyes or chocolate flower is a velvety-leaved, 1-2 ft. perennial. Its mounded, coarse, gray-green foliage has a chocolate aroma. A leafy plant, often with many short branches at base and longer, leaning branches ending in leafless stalks topped by flower heads with yellow rays surrounding a maroon central disk. The numerous, daisy-like blossoms are 2 in. across with yellow rays and a maroon center. These flowers open in the morning and droop in the heat of day. The cup-like seedheads which follow are also attractive.

The genus name honors Jean-Louis Berlandier (1805-1851), a French-Swiss physician who collected plants in northern Mexico and Texas in the early 1800s. A chocolate odor may be detected when the rays are plucked from the flower head.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Size Notes: 1-2 feet.
Leaf Color: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov

Distribution

USA: AZ , CO , KS , NM , OK , TX
Native Distribution: Extreme s.w. KS to w. TX, w. to s.e. CO & AZ
Native Habitat: Dry, rocky limestone soils in Texas panhandle and west of the Pecos River. Well-drained sand, loam, clay, caliche. Well-drained plains & mesas
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Conditions Comments: This flower smells like chocolate! On warm days it will fill the air with fragrance. In rich soil with extra water, the plant may fall over but it will send up branchlets along the stem which will produce more flowers. In a meadow, it can be mowed in early summer after the first wave of blooms. It will bloom year round in warm weather.
Texas comments: Chocolate flower smells like chocolate! On warm days it will fill the air with fragrance. In rich soil with extra water, the plant may fall over but it will send up branchlets along the stem which will produce more flowers. In a meadow, it can be mowed in early summer after the first wave of blooms. It will bloom year round in warm weather.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Wildflower meadow, Accent shrub, Perennial garden, Shortgrass meadow, Can be mowed, Aromatic
Use Wildlife: Wildflower meadow, Accent shrub, Perennial garden, Shortgrass meadow, Can be mowed, Aromatic
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: High

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Seed Collection: Collect seed in late spring, early summer. Makes seed continuously.
Seed Treatment: Seeds germinate well outdoors in spring through fall.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: This easy-to-grow perennial is susceptible to root rot in heavy, wet soils. Deadhead for continuous bloom.
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From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

McMillen's Texas Gardening: Wildflowers (1998) Howard, D.
Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski
* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Berlandiera lyrata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Berlandiera lyrata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Berlandiera lyrata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-21
Research By: TWC Staff, RLU

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