Asteraceae FAMILY

Dahlia pinnata

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

1/5

Safety & Hazards

We have no specific information for this species, but the leaves and tubers of several Dahlia species are known to contain phototoxic polyacetylene compounds that can cause skin irritation following repeated handling of the tubers and contact with leaves and light[ 293 Title Poisonous Plants of North Carolina Publication Author Website http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/poison.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent concise but comprehensive guide to toxic plants that grow in N. Carolina. It lists even those plants that are of very low toxicity, including several well-known food plants such as carrots and potatoes. ].

Botanical Description

Dahlia pinnata is a herbaceous perennial plant producing a clump of stems up to 1.5 metres tall from a tuberous rootstock. The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and dye. It is a parent of the cultivated Dahlias that are so commonly grown as ornamentals.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate; tropical

Native RangeSouthern N. America - Mexico. Naturalised in much of Central America.

HabitatRich damp oak and pine woods, sandy meadows at elevations up to 1,800 metres[ 4 Title A Modern Herbal. Publication Author Grieve. Publisher Penguin Year 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 Description Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants. , 181 Title Meet Flora Mexicana. Publication Author Pesman. M. W. Publisher Dale S. King. Arizona. Year 1962 ISBN - Description Very readable flora but rather lacking botanically. A few notes on useful plants. , 260 Title Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Publication Author Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Publisher Pan Books, London. Year 1998 ISBN 0-330-37376-5 Description Excellent photos of over 1,100 species and cultivars with habits and cultivation details plus a few plant uses. Many species are too tender for outdoors in Britain though there are many that can be grown outside. ].