Chocolate flower »Edible or poisonous?

Fragrant flowers

The chocolate flower is an extraordinary plant in every respect. Her name alone shows that. In a sunny location, its flowers give off a unique scent that is unmistakably reminiscent of chocolate. Children in particular are therefore inclined to taste the flowers. Unfortunately, at the latest when chewing, disappointment arises. The taste has nothing in common with the smell. The blossoms of the chocolate flower are completely uninteresting for culinary use.

Different types

Did you know that there are two types of chocolate flower ?:

• Berlandiera lyrata (Aster)
• Cosmos atrosanguineus (Cosmos)

The real variant has yellow flowers and smells of milk chocolate. The other type is the black cosmos, which is only mistakenly called the chocolate flower. Their deep red flowers, however, have more resemblance to sweets. It smells of dark chocolate.

Poisonous?

The flowers of the chocolate flower are not edible, but you don't have to worry if children nibble on the plant. Consumption does not cause any health effects in either humans or animals. Moreover, the amount of a single flower consumed would certainly not be enough to poison a person.

Other dangers

However, caution is advised in the event of a pest infestation. The chocolate flower is often plagued by aphids. Under no circumstances should children consume these. It becomes even more dangerous when the scent of foreign chocolate flowers from the neighboring garden tempts children to eat them and the latter uses chemical pesticides to control pests.