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Berlandiara lyrata

Common Name    Chocolate Flower

Family        Compositae (Sunflower Family - Helianthus Tribe)

Description
Low growing to 12 inches trailing perennial with oblong leaves deeply lobed on lower half. Flower bright yellow with deep red center.

Range
Lower great plains into Mexico.

Culture
Needs well drained soils, fairly drought tolerant.

Value
Delightful perennial with bright yellow flowers that keep on going all summer into fall; flowers fade in midday summer heat but persist longer into the day during fall. The thick chocolate fragrance that fills the air on still mornings, as well as its drought tolerance, makes this a superior plant.

Propagation
Seed may be sown directly, however germination will be very sporadic depending on the viability and freshness of the seed. Results could be from 10 to 80 percent germination. To aid germination soak seed 24 hours in hydrogen peroxide. Rinse and sow. Cover to depth. Caution: do not keep too moist or seed will rot.