As a student of the Biodiversity Conservation course, I have realised about the large number of animals and plants that are, unfortunately, endangered in Australia. In many of the classes I have noticed that these species are near from cities and they are increasingly threatened by clearing vegetation for building urban areas and agriculture projects.

Therefore, I thought that the extinction was very close to me, but I would have never guessed that was under my shoes. Yes, as you hear, under my shoes! Or more accurately, behind the Crawford School building, where each week I go to feed my brain with knowledge, but at the same time, without the knowledge of the richness around.

Photo by Crawford School

Near this area, it is still possible to find a beautiful flower called Nodding Chocolate Lily, which as its name suggests, has a characteristic smell like chocolate that it is revealed at the blooming time; which occurs between the months of August and January. In addition, it adds to their common name, nodding, probably by the characteristic movement of the flowers in the wind.

Photo by NaturallySouthAustralia

Thanks to the efforts of the ANU Green program, this beautiful plant has been shown in the media to create awareness about the delicate condition within Australia threatened species. Also, ANU Green has created programs for cleaning and removing weeds in the area to ensure this Nodding Chocolate Lily community to have the chance to prevail for many years.

Photo by David Kleinert Photography

As a result, this experience made me think about the time when the management plans were designed and the vegetation was removed to construct the school. Do you think that any of the workers or engineers stopped to think about the source of such exquisite smell that invited to do a break to enjoy a cup of chocolate?

Well, I invite you to visit the place to meet this beautiful plant; and then, probably to crave with a delicious cup of hot chocolate.

Posted by Linette Alfaro Cordero