Berlandiera lyrata aka Chocolate Flower

Berlandiera lyrata is a perennial in the daisy family, Asteraceae. Common names include chocolate flower and lyreleaf greeneyes. Its flowers give off a scent that recalls chocolate. Its native range spans the western and central United States. It also reaches northern and western Mexico. Wild plants grow on plains, mesas, grasslands, and roadsides. They grow in dry sandy loam and rocky limestone ground.

Plants form mounds about 1–2 feet [0.30–0.61 metres] tall and wide. Branched stems stand upright, though some lie along the ground. Fine lines run along the stems. A long taproot helps the plant cope with drought. The leaves feel soft and have uneven pinnate lobes. Their upper sides are deep green, with paler undersides. Leaves grow alternately along the stems. Leafless stalks carry the flower heads above the foliage.

The daisy-like heads measure about 0.08–0.17 feet [0.025–0.051 metres] across. Yellow rays surround a reddish-brown central disk. Red veins mark the backs of the rays. Some ray backs are red across their whole surface. Green bracts form a cup beneath each head. Bloom runs from May to October in the Missouri Botanical Garden account. Warm conditions can allow flowers throughout the year. The heads open at night or in the morning. Heat causes the rays to droop later in the day. A green center remains after the rays fall. The fruit is a flattened, hairy cypsela with one seed.

Grow this plant in full sun and soil that drains well. It also accepts some light shade. Sandy or gravelly soil with a slightly alkaline pH suits it. It handles heat, dry soil, and drought well. More steady moisture may increase bloom but make stems flop. Wet, heavy soil can cause root rot. Sources place its hardiness in USDA zones 4–10. Seed offers an easy way to raise new plants. Division risks damage to the long taproot. Removing spent heads can help keep flowers coming.

Chocolate flower suits rock gardens, borders, meadows, and naturalized spaces. It can edge sunny paths or serve as ground cover. Bees, butterflies, and birds visit the plant. Deer tend to leave it alone. The Missouri Botanical Garden reports no major pest or disease problems. Plants may seed themselves in the garden. The flowers have a recorded use as a seasoning.