Kóox - Chocolate Lily - Tlingit Ethnobotany

Info sign for chocolate lilies. Sign text is copied on this page.

Chocolate-colored flowers of Kóox emit a distinctive, pungent aroma that attracts flies but repels most humans. The Huna Tlingit harvest the plant's white-rice-like bulbs in spring, cooking them with wild berries and rhubarb to balance the bulb's natural bitterness. This ethnobotanical site documents how indigenous peoples developed sophisticated knowledge of local plant foods over generations. The Tlingit name Kóox and its cultivation practices represent centuries of cultural plant knowledge preserved in Glacier Bay.

Access & viewing

GPS Coordinates: 58.45573,-135.87883
Accessibility: Site requires water-based transportation (boat or kayak). Ground access to plant location is on terrain; wheelchair access not feasible. Physical ability to navigate coastal water travel required.

Conditions & safety

Permits Required: 0

Planning advice

Nearby Attractions: Ch´eix´ - Thimbleberry (ethnobotany), Kanat'á - Early Blueberry (ethnobotany), Keishísh - Sitka Alder (ethnobotany), K'wálx - Fiddlehead Ferns (ethnobotany), Neigóon - Nagoonberry (ethnobotany), Bartlett Cove, Beardslee Islands, Johns Hopkins Glacier, Margerie Glacier, Muir Inlet
Best Time To Visit: Spring (April-May) when Kóox bulbs are ready for harvest. Peak visibility of chocolate-colored flowers occurs mid-spring. Viewing best in late morning when light illuminates the distinctive flowers.
Tips Advice: Look for small chocolate-colored flowers clustered on low plants.
The pungent smell is distinctive—pause to observe pollinators (flies) at work.
Bulbs are small and white, resembling rice grains when dug.
The Tlingit continue harvesting practices; respect boundaries if harvest is occurring.
Bring binoculars to observe flower details and insect pollinators.
Insider Tips: The smell is part of the natural history—the pungent odor attracts flies, not bees.
Bulb clusters resemble tiny rice grains; Tlingit name "Indian rice" references this appearance.
Cooking bulbs with berries reduces bitterness—the food-pairing knowledge reflects long tradition.
Spring visits coincide with actual harvest season; you may observe cultural plant use in practice.
The Tlingit language name Kóox has been preserved and documented by NPS; linguistic knowledge is tied to ecological observation.

More details

Park Area: Glacier Bay
Family Friendly Notes: Bring children in bear country with adult supervision and proper distance training (100-yard rule). Water travel carries hypothermia and drowning risks—life jackets essential. Small children require active monitoring. Site itself is ground-level; no cliff or fall hazards once accessed.
Recent Updates: No recent changes to site access or conditions reported
Attraction Type: Ethnobotanical Site
Elevation Feet: 0
Accessibility Level: Moderate - requires boat or kayak access from Gustavus or park entry points; on-site ground access to plant location
How To Get There: Boat or kayak access from Gustavus ferry terminal or park staging areas. Coordinates: 58.45573,-135.87883. Water travel required; no land road access. Consult Glacier Bay Visitor Center for current access routes and conditions.
Parking Availability: No parking—water-based access only. Marina services available in Gustavus.
Road Type: Water access only
Seasonal Access: Year-round water access; peak services May-September. Winter travel possible but services extremely limited.
Entry Fees: No entrance fee. America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) grants access to federal recreation sites park-wide but is not required.
Main Features: Chocolate Lily plant (Kóox), edible white bulb clusters, distinctive pungent-smelling chocolate-colored flowers, Tlingit cultural and botanical significance
What Youll See: Small chocolate-colored flowers, low-growing plant in alpine/coastal habitat, white rice-like bulbs (seasonal visibility), native mosses and plants surrounding the site, views toward Glacier Bay waters and mountains
Unique Characteristics: Tlingit language name preserved (Kóox), documented indigenous food use spanning centuries, bulb appearance ("Indian rice"), odor-pollinator relationship demonstrates ecological adaptation, living cultural practice of spring harvest continues among Tlingit families
Safety Considerations: Maintain 100-yard distance from bears per NPS regulations. Other wildlife requires 25-yard distance. Coastal waters hazardous—tides and currents unpredictable. Do not attempt collection of plants without consulting NPS. Hypothermia risk in cool water year-round. Weather changes rapidly; carry rain gear and navigation tools.
Best Viewpoints: Direct approach to the plant location at coordinates 58.45573,-135.87883. Early spring morning light best illuminates the flowers. Stand upwind if possible to avoid the strong odor.
Photo Opportunities: Chocolate-colored flowers in detail, bulbs (when visible), plant in situ with surrounding habitat, landscape context of Glacier Bay shoreline, close-ups of flower structure and insect pollinators
Photography Spots: Plant site itself; surrounding Glacier Bay landscape for context; early morning light on flowers; water views toward mountains
Stargazing Quality: Good - remote coastal location with minimal light pollution. Summer nights very brief (midnight sun effect); autumn-spring offer darker skies.
Sunrise Sunset Quality: Good in summer (extended daylight); limited in winter. Coastal fog common but clears mid-morning through early afternoon typically.
Visitor Center Present: 0
Restrooms Available: 0
Picnic Areas: 0
Interpretive Signs: 0
Cell Service: Unreliable - bring satellite communicator for emergencies
Water Available: 0
Guided Tours Available: 0
Trailheads Here: None directly. Nearby: Forest Loop Trail connects to Top of the Hill, Glacial Erratic, Root Ball stops. Bartlett Cove area offers other interpretive routes.
Connecting Trails: Forest Loop Trail (via Bartlett Cove): Top of the Hill, Glacial Erratic, Root Ball. Bartlett Cove Public Use Dock connects to kayaking routes.
Nearby Services: Glacier Bay Visitor Center (limited hours, peak season). Gustavus, Alaska (ferry terminal, lodging, supplies, restaurants). Bartlett Cove Campground. Commercial tour operators seasonally available.
Common Wildlife: Brown bears, black bears, humpback whales, harbor seals, bald eagles, seabirds including black-legged kittiwakes
Best Wildlife Times: May-September (peak season). Whales present June-July. Bears most active during salmon runs mid-July through August.
Wildflower Peak: Spring (April-May) - Kóox flowers and bulbs optimal
Fall Colors Peak: Early fall (September) - hemlock and spruce foliage
Geological Formation Type: Not geological - ethnobotanical
Scientific Interest: Indigenous ethnobotanical knowledge systems, Tlingit linguistic preservation (Kóox), plant-pollinator relationships (odor-mediated fly pollination), seasonal phenology of edible plants, food security practices in subarctic ecosystems
Road Opening Dates: Year-round water access; no seasonal road closures
Snow Lingering: Minimal at sea level; higher elevations may retain snow into June
Winter Access: Year-round via boat/kayak; services and facilities extremely limited December-March
Best Visit Times: Early spring (April-May) for bulb visibility and harvest season observation. Late morning (10am-2pm) for optimal flower lighting. Fewer visitors mid-week.
Best Season: Late spring through early fall (May-September). Peak: June-July.
Weather Patterns: Cool, wet conditions typical. Afternoon lightning possible. Summer temperatures 50-60°F. Winter freezing (25-35°F). Fog and rain frequent year-round. Wind gusts common along exposed water routes.
Peak Fill Times: Not applicable - no parking infrastructure
Busiest Season: July (peak Glacier Bay cruise season)
Fishing Species: Not applicable to this site
Fishing Nearby: 0
Swimming Allowed: 0
Boating Allowed: 1
Climbing Areas: 0
Review Summary: Visitors gain insight into sophisticated Tlingit ethnobotanical knowledge and multi-generational plant use traditions. The site demonstrates how indigenous peoples developed ecological expertise and food security practices refined over centuries. Most visitors appreciate the cultural-biological connection and the preservation of Tlingit language and plant knowledge in Glacier Bay's landscape.

Location

Frequently asked questions

Is Kóox really edible?

Yes. The Tlingit harvest and cook the bulb, traditionally with wild berries and rhubarb to balance its bitter taste. It was a staple food—hence the name 'Indian rice.'

When is the best time to see or harvest the bulbs?

Spring (April-May) when bulbs are mature and Tlingit harvesting occurs. Flowers are visible throughout the growing season but peak in mid-spring.

Are bears really a concern at this site?

Yes. Brown and black bears inhabit Glacier Bay year-round. Maintain 100-yard distance per NPS regulations. Do not approach if bears are present; contact the Visitor Center for current sightings.

Do I need a permit to visit or collect the plant?

Visiting is free and requires no permit. Collecting or removing plants is prohibited. Cultural harvesting by Tlingit peoples occurs under separate authorization.

How do I get there if I don't have my own boat?

Commercial tour operators run seasonal services from Gustavus ferry terminal. Charter boats and kayak outfitters available May-September. Contact Glacier Bay Visitor Center for current operator list and reservation information.