Flower for the Day Dahlia 8-19-24

After a slow start the dahlias are finally coming in. The colors are striking. The plants are native to Mexico and Central America. There are 49 species of dahlia.

As a member of the Asteraceae family, the dahlia has a flower head that is actually a composite with both central disc florets and surrounding ray florets. 

Each floret is a flower in its own right, but is often incorrectly described as a petal.

The modern name Asteraceae refers to the appearance of a star with surrounding rays. 

They are just plain purty.

                

        florid blossom

        dressed in dew

        dahlia surprise