Perennial herb to 70 cm tall. Leaves oblong-spathulate, to 70 cm long, to 14 cm wide, margins lobed, hairy below, long-petiolate. Capitula to 10 cm across; winter. Ray florets white, yellow, orange, pink or dark red. Disk florets yellow. Achenes to 13 mm long. Pappus bristles cream or greyish.

South Africa, Swaziland

Hybrids and seed selections with this species as the major parent are very popular as long-lasting florists' cut flowers. G. viridiflora is probably another major parent. Crosses were initially made in the UK in 1890 but later breeding and selection has been carried out in 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.