ExplorePlant

Dahlia

Dahlias are stunning flowers that come in many shapes and sizes! They bloom in summer and are loved for their vibrant colors.

Habitat: Gardens and flower beds

Appearance

The Dahlia has remarkably diverse flowers, showcasing petals in almost every color except true blue and black. Its blooms range from tiny pompoms to giant 'dinner plate' sizes, with intricate forms like spiky cactus petals or perfectly rounded balls, making each one a unique floral masterpiece.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaFamilyAsteraceaeGenusDahlia

Dahlia

Interesting facts

Dahlias are Mexico's national flower, celebrated for their beauty and history!

Some dahlia flowers can grow as big as a dinner plate, over 30 centimeters wide!

The Aztecs used dahlia tubers as a food source and even for medicine!

They come in almost every color imaginable, except a natural true blue!

Special abilities

Dahlia can store energy in its thick, tuberous roots, allowing it to survive winter and regrow year after year.

Dahlia has diverse flower shapes and colors that help it attract many different bees and butterflies for pollination.

Measurements & details

Height: 30-200 cm
Spread: 30-100 cm
Flower Size: 5-30 cm
Bloom Season: Summer to Fall
Is Edible: Yes
Toxicity: Mild
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey bee

Apis mellifera

Gathers nectar and pollen

pollinates

Painted lady butterfly

Vanessa cardui

Feeds on nectar from blooms

eats

Grey field slug

Deroceras reticulatum

Consumes leaves and young shoots

eats

Black bean aphid

Aphis fabae

Sucks sap from stems and leaves

Traits

Deciduous

Discover the magic of plants that shed all their leaves during a particular season, often putting on a spectacular show of fall colors first. They get ready for a fresh start!

Flowering

These are the plants that produce beautiful blossoms, attracting pollinators and adding splashes of color to our world. Each flower is a tiny marvel!

Ornamental

These lovely plants are grown simply because they are so beautiful to look at, adding splashes of color and interesting shapes to any garden or landscape.

Summer Blooming

Enjoy the sunny days with these vibrant plants that show off their stunning flowers all through the warmest months, adding color to the long summer days.

Fragrant Flower

Discover flowers that release delightful scents into the air, enchanting our senses and attracting helpful insects. Take a moment to enjoy their sweet perfume!

Colorful

Discover amazing plants and animals that show off a dazzling array of bright and beautiful hues! They use their vibrant colors to attract attention or send signals.