Dahlia pinnata

Dahlia pinnata (D. × pinnata) is a species in the genus Dahlia, family Asteraceae, with the common name garden dahlia. It is the type species of the genus and is widely cultivated.

Dahlia pinnata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Dahlia
Species:
D. pinnata
Binomial name
Dahlia pinnata
Cav. 1791[1]
Synonyms
  • Bidens variabilis (Willd.) Baill.
  • Dahlia barkeriae Knowles & Westc.
  • Dahlia crocata Lag.
  • Dahlia rosea Cav.
  • Dahlia variabilis (Willd.) Desf.

Description

Dahlia pinnata is a perennial herbaceous plant with a rhizome and tuberous roots, reaching a height of 70 to 120, rarely 160 centimeters. The stem is erect being branched only in the inflorescence. The leaves are usually simple, with leaflets that are ovate and 5–10 cm long. The plant is slightly shaggy.

The two to eight flower heads have a diameter of 6 to 10 centimeters on 5 to 15 centimeters long stems. The eight florets have a length of 3 to 5 centimeters, are ovate and coloured pink to deep purple.[2]

Taxonomy

Hansen and Hjerting in (1996)[3] demonstrated that Dahlia pinnata should more properly be designated D. x pinnata. D. x pinnata was shown to actually be a variant of D. sorensenii that had acquired hybrid qualities before it was introduced to Europe in the sixteenth century and formally named by Cavanilles.[4] The original wild D. pinnata is presumed extinct.

Distribution and habitat

The plant occurs in Mexico in the mountains around Mexico City.

Ecology

The flowering period extends from July to October.

Cultivation

Used as an ornamental plant, and was cultivated by the Aztecs before the discovery of America, and was introduced to Spain in 1798. Modern dahlias are often the product of hybridisation between D. pinnata and D. Coccinea.

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References
  1. Icon 1: 57 (t. 80).
  2. Eckehardt J. Jäger, Friedrich Ebel, Peter Hanelt, Gerd K. Müller (ed.): Rothmaler excursion flora of Germany. Volume 5: Herbaceous ornamental and useful plants. Spektrum, Academic Publisher, Heidelberg 2008, ISBN 978-3-8274-0918-8
  3. Hansen, H. V. and J. P. Hierting. 1996. Observations on chromosome numbers and biosystematics in Dahlia (Asteraceae, Heliantheae) with an account on the identity of D. pinnata, D.rosea and D. coccinea. Nordic Journal of Botany 16: 445-455.
  4. Cavanilles, A. J. 1791. Icones et Descriptiones Plantarum 1: 57.
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