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Dahlia pinnata - Cav.

Common Name Dahlia, Pinnate dahlia
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Rich damp oak and pine woods at elevations around 1,800 metres[260].
Range Southern N. America - Mexico.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Dahlia pinnata Dahlia, Pinnate dahlia


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Dahlia pinnata Dahlia, Pinnate dahlia

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Dahlia pinnata is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower from June to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

D. variabilis.

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Root
Edible Uses: Condiment  Sweetener

The flower petals are used in salads[177]. Root - cooked and used as a vegetable[183]. A bitter flavour[200]. A sweet extract of the tuber, called 'dacopa', is used as a beverage or as a flavouring. It is mixed with hot or cold water and sprinkled on ice cream. Its naturally sweet mellow taste is said to combine the characteristics of coffee, tea and chocolate[183]. The root is rich in the starch inulin. Whilst not absorbed by the body, this starch can be converted into fructose, a sweetening substance suitable for diabetics to use[141, 171].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

An orange dye is obtained from the flowers and seed heads[168, 169].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant so long as the soil does not dry out[260]. It requires a deep rich soil and a sunny position[164], disliking shade[200]. The growing plant is very frost-tender, though the tubers are somewhat hardier tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[260]. However, these tubers are not reliably hardy if left in the ground over winter in Britain[200]. They are best harvested after the foliage is killed off by frost and then stored in a cool but frost-free place over the winter, planting out in April/May[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow late winter to mid spring in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 weeks at 20°c[164]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of young shoots in early spring. The tubers are usually brought into the greenhouse in late winter in order to encourage early growth and young basal shoots are removed as soon as they are large enough[200]. Division. The roots are usually harvested in the autumn. These can be divided into individual tubers when planting out in the spring. Each portion should have a growing point[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Coreopsis giganteaGiant coreopsis, Sea DahliaPerennial2.5 10-11 MLMNDM001
Dahlia roseaDahlia, Pinnate dahliaPerennial1.5 8-11  LMHNM111

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Cav.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Ana Estela Lozano   Mon Jul 19 19:58:25 2004

It is a very complet information, congratulatios for your work

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Subject : Dahlia pinnata  
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