Perennial herb to 2 m or so tall with hollow stems. Leaves to about 30 cm long, simple, pinnate or bipinnate the leaflets oblong to lanceolate with toothed margins. Flower clusters in axillary stalked heads of many colours. [D. variabilis hort. non (Willd.) Desf.]

Garden origin

Available in a vast range of flower colour and form cultivars. The following is a selection of popular Australian-raised cultivars, indicating the flower colour, originator and date of origin (not known for some cultivars). Most cultivars available are Australian-raised. Popular overseas cultivars include 'Hamari Accord' and 'L'Ancresse' from the UK, 'Kidd's Climax' from New Zealand, 'Holland Festival' from Holland and 'Kenora Challenger' from the USA.

Source: Lawson, L.; Spencer, R. (2002). Dahlia. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.