Dahlia | |
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Dahlia flower | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Asterales |
Family: | Asteraceae |
Subfamily: | Asteroideae |
Tribe: | Coreopsideae |
Genus: | Dahlia Cav.[1] |
Type species | |
Dahlia pinnata Cav.[1]
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Sections | |
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Synonyms[2] | |
Dahlia (UK: /ˈdeɪliə/ DAY-lee-ə, US: /ˈdæljə, ˈdɑːljə, ˈdeɪljə/ DA(H)L-yə, DAYL-yə)[3] is a genus of bushy, tuberous, herbaceous perennial plants native to Mexico and Central America. As a member of the Asteraceae (synonym name: Compositae) family of dicotyledonous plants,[4] its relatives include the sunflower, daisy, chrysanthemum, and zinnia. There are 49 species of dahlia,[4] with flowers in almost every hue (except blue), with hybrids commonly grown as garden plants.
Dahlias were known only to the Aztecs and other southern North American peoples until the Spanish conquest, after which the plants were brought to Europe. The (high in sugar) tubers of some varieties are of value to humans. There is also a special polysaccharide of Fructan obtained known as Inulin.
Cavanilles
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).