Dahlia

views updated May 11 2018

Dahlia (family Compositae) A genus of herbs that have tuberous roots and stems up to 8 m long. Originally they were grown for food but now they are cultivated for their ornamental flowers. There are 28 species, occurring from the mountains of Mexico to Colombia.

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences MICHAEL ALLABY

dahlia

views updated May 23 2018

dahl·ia / ˈdalyə; ˈdäl-/ • n. a tuberous Mexican plant (genus Dahlia) of the daisy family, cultivated for its brightly colored flowers.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

dahlia

views updated May 18 2018

dahlia Genus of perennial plants with tuberous roots and large flowers. The common garden dahlia (Dahlia pinnata) has been developed into more than 2000 varieties. Height: to 1.5m (5ft). Family Asteraceae/Compositae.

World Encyclopedia

dahlia

views updated Jun 27 2018

dahlia XIX. f. the name of Andreas Dahl, Swedish botanist; see -IA 1.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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