Dahlia is a genus of bushy, summer- and autumn-flowering, tuberous perennials that are originally from Mexico, where they are the national flower.

In 1872 a box of Dahlia roots were sent from Mexico to the Netherlands. Only one plant survived the trip, but produced spectacular red flowers with pointed petals. Nurserymen bred from this plant, which was named Dahlia juarezii with parents of Dahlias discovered earlier and these are the progenitors of all modern Dahlia hybrids. Ever since, plant breeders have been actively breeding Dahlias to produce hundreds of cultivars, usually chosen for their stunning and brightly coloured flowers.

Dahlias are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Angle Shades, Common Swift, Ghost Moth and Large Yellow Underwing.

The dahlia is named after Swedish 18th-century botanist Anders Dahl.

The dahlia is the official flower of the city of Seattle.

External links

• The medicinal and nutritional properties of Dahlia spp.
  • Dahlia rosea at pfaf
  • Dahlia pinnata at pfaf

Modern popular varieties include: Image:Dahlia.jpg Image:DahliaMoonfire.jpg|Dahlia 'Moonfire' Image:DahliaLlandaff.jpg|Dahlia 'Bishop of Llandaff' Image:Dahlia-1-KayEss-2.jpeg Image:Dahlia-2-KayEss-1.jpeg Image:Dahlia-3-KayEss-2.jpeg image:Dahlia_yellowpinkorange.JPG image:Dahlia_pom_pom.JPG image:Dahlia Tengrove Millenium.jpg|"Tengrove Millennium" image:Dahlia Horst Athalie.jpg|"Horst Athalie" image:Dahlia Kenora Challenger.jpg|"Kenora Challenger" image:Dahlia Mary's Jomanda.jpg|"Mary's Jomanda" image:Dahlia Mish Mash.jpg|"Mish Mash" image:WhiteTippedDahlia.JPG|"White Tipped Dahlia" image:Pink-Dahlia-IMG_2446_051013_123002.jpg|"Pink" image:Dahlia pompom.jpg|"Dahlia Pompom"

Asteraceae | Flowers | Flowers of Mexico

Далия | Dahlien | Dalia | Dahlia | Dahlia | Dahlia | דליה | Jurginas | Dahlia | ダリア | Georgine | Dalia (roślina) | Dahlia | Daaliat | Thược dược | 大麗菊