A gem of Melbourne’s grasslands and woodlands, the chocolate lily is a true sensory delight.
From September to December, it blooms into vibrant clusters of purple, blue or occasionally white star-shaped flowers.
Standing 0.5–1.2 metres tall, this perennial from the Asparagus family (alongside agave and yucca) attracts gourmand lovers and pollinators alike with its chocolate, vanilla and caramel scented flowers. Native bees ‘buzz pollinate’ its flowers, vibrating the anthers to release pollen.
Beneath the surface, its edible tubers have long been enjoyed by First Nations peoples.
This flower was commonly found in the woodlands and forests on sedimentary hills, valleys and ridges in the areas now known as Parkville, Carlton and East Melbourne. It was also abundant along our rivers, creeks and other grasslands throughout the city. Nowadays, you can find it in the Test Garden at Federation Square and around Royal Park.
The chocolate lily thrives in well-drained soil and full or partial sun. It grows beautifully in pots (allow at least 20cm for the tubers) but is most spectacular mass-planted or in meadows. It dies in the dry summer heat but can reshoot with autumnal rains.
Coming soon
The chocolate lily is a prized plant for Bunurong people. Not only do the flowers have a delicious scent of chocolate and caramel, they are much loved by our native bees and insects – particularly the blue-banded bee and hoverfly. Our Old Ones would not only eat the flower, but also roast the tubers on the fire, much enjoyed for their sweet, nutty flavour.
The pollination period of the flowers in Spring is an important cultural marker. When the flower goes dormant, we know the tubers are ready for harvest. Using a kanaan - woman’s digging stick – the bagurrk (women) would churn and aerate the soil, separate the tubers, keeping some to eat and replanting the others so the chocolate lily could continue to grow in abundance, season after season.
‘The chocolate lily smells like chocolate. Actual chocolate. That’s honestly reason enough to vote for it. But it’s also a beautiful, delicate purple flower that reminds us how our senses (like smell) shape our connection to nature.’
‘A beautiful plant, can be easily grown in many garden situations, it is winter dormant. If you crush the flower it has a chocolatey smell as well as its tubers which are edible. quite a hardy plant, but can be thought to have dieds off when it goes dormant.’
'You need to look closely to spot this plant, but that makes it even more thrilling when you catch sight of these beautiful dainty flowers. When I see one I always pause to try and catch the soft chocolate fragrance. If this plant is chosen and becomes planted widely I might never get to work!'
'Got to love anything chocolate. Of course, this chocolate scented grass has edible parts. The center of the small star shaped purple flowers looks like fireworks.’
Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners
The City of Melbourne respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we govern, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin and pays respect to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge and honour the unbroken spiritual, cultural and political connection they have maintained to this unique place for more than 2000 generations.
We accept the invitation in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and are committed to walking together to build a better future.
