DAHLIA IS A GENUS OF BUSHY, TUBEROUS, HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL PLANTS NATIVE TO MEXICO. A MEMBER OF THE ASTERACEAE, DICOTYLEDONOUS PLANTS, RELATED SPECIES INCLUDE THE SUNFLOWER, DAISY, CHRYSANTHEMUM, AND ZINNIA. THE DAHLIA IS NAMED AFTER THE SWEDISH 18TH CENTURY BOTANIST ANDERS DAHL, WHO ORIGINALLY DECLARED THE FLOWER A VEGETABLE, AS THE TUBERS ARE EDIBLE. NEW DAHLIA FOR ME IN 2019 IT'S SO RADICALLY BEAUTIFUL IT HURTS SO FAR 3 WHOLE BLOOMS AND 4 MORE ON THE PLANT. INTRODUCED IN 2010, 4 INCH BLOOMS OF LAVENDER HAVE A WATERMELON PINK PINCUSHION IN THE CENTER.