Dahlia imperialis, or bell tree dahlia, is a large flowering plant of the family Asteraceae, native to the Americas.
| Dahlia imperialis | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Dahlia |
| Species: | D. imperialis
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| Binomial name | |
| Dahlia imperialis | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Description
editGrowing between 8–10 metres (26–33 feet) tall, it is a herbaceous perennial, rapidly growing in springtime from its tuber, after a dormant winter period (which may be brief in mild climates). From its underground base, the plant will begin sending up hollow, cane-like, 4-sided stems with swollen nodes and large, tripinnate leaves; foliage near the ground is quickly shed. The pendant or nodding flowerheads are 7.5–15 centimetres (3–6 inches) across, with ray florets, typically a lavender or mauvish-pink in colour.[3][4]
This species is fast-growing, the growth spurt being linked to shorter daylight hours; the tree dahlia usually comes into flower in autumn, before the risk of frost. Propagation is by seed or by stem cuttings, around 30 cm (12 in) long and having at least two nodes, laid horizontally about 5–10 cm under the soil; top-dressing with pea gravel, decomposed granite, or grit is optional but helpful for moisture retention, erosion control and additional drainage.[5]
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Flowers -
Back of flower -
Leaves -
Plant
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Taxonomy
editAfter some Dahlia species were brought from Mexico to Europe in the 16th century, D. imperialis was first described in 1863 by Benedikt Roezl (1823–1885), the great Czech orchid collector and traveller who, ten years later (in 1872–73), embarked on a plant odyssey through the Americas.[6]
Distribution and habitat
editIt is native to Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and south into Colombia and Ecuador. It is a plant of the uplands, mainly found in the foothills of subtropical or tropical mountains (above the humidity of the lower forests), at elevations around 1,500–1,700 m (4,900–5,600 ft).
Uses
editMany tuberous dahlia can be prepared and consumed like potatoes or cooked carrots. Additionally, the petals can be eaten on green salads or soups, and tree dahlia leaves are used as a dietary supplement by the Q'eqchi' people of San Pedro Carchá, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala.[7]
References
edit- ^ Redonda-Martínez, R., Zacarias-Correa, AG & Samain, M.-S. 2022. Dahlia imperialis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T168615747A168651442. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T168615747A168651442.en. Accessed on 21 July 2023.
- ^ "Dahlia imperialis Roezl ex Ortgies". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- ^ Dayle E. Saar, Neil O. Polans & Paul D. Sørensen (2003). "A phylogenetic analysis of the genus Dahlia (Asteraceae) based on internal and external transcribed spacer regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA". Systematic Botany. 28 (3): 627–639. doi:10.1043/01-78.1 (inactive 1 November 2024). JSTOR 25063902.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2024 (link) - ^ Booth, Sarah; Bressani, Ricardo; Johns, Timothy (1992). "Nutrient content of selected indigenous leafy vegetables consumed by the Kekchi people of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala". Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. 5: 25–34. doi:10.1016/0889-1575(92)90005-5.
- ^ "Dahlia imperialis – Tree Dahlia".
- ^ "The International Plant Names Index – home page".
- ^ S. Booth, T. Johns & C. Y. Lopez-Palacios (1993). "Factors influencing the dietary intake of indigenous leafy greens by the K'ekchi people of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala". Ecology of Food and Nutrition. 31 (1 & 2): 127–145. Bibcode:1993EcoFN..31..127B. doi:10.1080/03670244.1993.9991354.
External links
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Media related to Dahlia imperialis at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Dahlia imperialis at Wikispecies
