Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Asterales Link
Family
Compositae Giseke
 Subordinate Taxa
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Dahlia Cav., Icones et Descriptiones Plantarum 56-57 (1791)
Synonymy:
  • = Georgina Willd., Sp. Pl., ed. 4 [Willdenow] 3(3), 2124 (1803) nom. illeg.
Type Taxon:
Dahlia pinnata Cav.
 Description

Herbaceous perennials often woody toward base, or scrambling epiphytes. Lvs opposite or whorled, simple and entire or lobed, to 1–3-pinnate. Capitula pedunculate, solitary. Involucral bracts in 2 rows; outer row foliaceous; inner row membranous. Receptacle flat or nearly so; scales present. Outer florets ♀ or sterile, ligulate, white, pale lavender to deep purple, or yellow to orange to deep scarlet. Inner florets ☿, tubular (or replaced by ligulate florets in many cvs). Achenes all similar, linear-oblong or spathulate, compressed but not winged, often constricted below a disc at apex; pappus usually 0, sometimes of 2 rudimentary awns.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
Number of species and named hybrids in New Zealand within Dahlia Cav.
CategoryNumber
Exotic: Fully Naturalised2
Exotic: Casual2
Total4
 Bibliography
Hobbs, J.; Hatch, T. 1994: Bulbs for New Zealand Gardens. Godwit Press, Auckland.
Icones et Descriptiones Plantarum
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.
Willdenow, C.L. von 1803: Species Plantarum. Editio Quarta. Vol. 3(3). G.C. Nauk, Berlin.