| 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 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Dahlia pinnata (D. ×pinnata) is a species in the genusDahlia, familyAsteraceae, with the common namegarden dahlia. It is thetype species of the genus and is widely cultivated.
Dahlia pinnata is aperennialherbaceous plant with arhizome andtuberousroots, reaching a height of 70 to 120 centimetres (28 to 47 inches), rarely 160 cm. The stem is erect, and branched only in theinflorescence. Theleaves are usually simple, with leaflets that are ovate and 5–10 centimetres (2–4 in) long. The plant is slightly shaggy.
Between July and October, atop stems 5 to 15 cm in length are two to eight flower heads, 6 to 10 cm in diameter. The eight florets have a length of 3 to 5 cm, are ovate and coloured pink to deep purple.[2]
Hansen and Hjerting in (1996)[3] demonstrated thatDahlia pinnata should more properly be designatedD. x pinnata.D. x pinnata was shown to actually be a variant ofD. sorensenii that had acquired hybrid qualities before it was introduced to Europe in the sixteenth century and formally named byCavanilles.[4] The original wildD. pinnata is presumed extinct.
It is geographically located inCentral America, tending to grow at borders. The plant occurs inMexico in the mountains aroundMexico City.
Dahlias tend to attract quite a bit of insects, some which are dangerous and harmful to their survival. Insects likeslugs,earwigs, thered spider,snails,caterpillars,aphids, andthrips threaten dahlias because they can eat the petals, leave slime trials, leave tattered petals, etc. Dahlias can also become infected with the following diseases:Sclerotinia disease,fungal diseases,mildew,Botrytis,Crown Gall, etc. If dahlias do become infected with these they can wilt, have spots on the leaves, the leaves can get irregular coloring/ patterning, etc.[5]
A study onDahlia pinnata showed that thisD. pinnata was able to accumulate high levels ofarsenic from the soil through its roots.[6]
Used as anornamental plant, and was cultivated by theAztecs before the discovery of America, and was introduced to Spain in 1798. Modern dahlias are often the product ofhybridisation betweenD. pinnata andD. coccinea. As cut flowers, dahlias have a long lifespan.[7]
Besides being used for their outside appearance, dahlias tend to be used for their medicinal properties as well. According to Glenn Ross Whitley, this plant's roots contain someinulin and the tubers have "antibiotic compounds concentrated in [their] skin". This apparently contributed to the status of the plant as an "important root crop and medicinal plant among thepre-Columbian Indians of central Mexico, Yucatan and Guatemala".[8]
Dahlias prefer rich soil (pH level estimated at around 6.5–7.5) with enough organic matter. The roots must be kept moist since they are very shallow rooted which means they usually become dry fairly frequently and quickly. They bloom around mid-summer through the beginning of winter, they are able to survive a light frost, but anything colder/harsher than that, they will not be able to keep thriving. When the harsh weather of winter is approaching, the dahlias should be dug up and stored in a safer place for them.[7]
Many dahlia pinnata types can grow from seeds but more often they are cultivated by division of the tuberous roots or by stem cuttings. Providing the flower with some kind of plant food (mulch, growing media, nutrient food, etc.) can really make the dahlia healthier and more likely to survive.[9]
The plant'sphytostabilization properties regarding arsenic could lower the risk of the harmful carcinogen to humans.[6]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
