Tree Dahlia

Overview

Dahlia imperialis is native to Mexico and possibly Colombia and Guatemala and elsewhere in Central and South America. It is considered as National flower of Mexico. It is used as animal food, an ornamental plant and a medicine, has environmental uses and for food.

Vernacular Names

No found data on this. Need further research.

Agroecology

Tree dahlia can be found in roadsides, disturbed areas, wastelands, urban open spaces, gardens, plantations and forest gaps/edges.

Morphology

• Root - tuberous roots.
• Stems - erect, 4-angled, brittle and woody (8 cm wide), usually branched from the base with swollen nodes and with underground tubers (a swollen underground stem that functions as a food storage organ or as a means of vegetative production).
• Leaves - opposite, pinnate, with mid-green leaves divided into many leaflets with long pointed tips.
• Flowers - nodding, mauve-pink, cup-shaped flowers pink, 2-10 cm in diameter, axillary, arranged in single long flower stalks or in several clusters. have eight petals and a central yellow disc.
• Fruit - thin winged achene fruit.

Cultivation

• Generative propagation is by seed.
• Vegetative propagation is by stem cutting and root division.

Chemical Constituents

Terpenoids, flavonoids, steroids, phenolics, alkaloids, inulin, saponins.

Traditional Medicinal Uses

It relieves itchy skin and acne.