Why Is the Dahlia Called "Tianma Flower"? An Analysis of the Origin of the Name
The dahlia is actually not the tianma (Gastrodia elata), but some people think they are the same plant because both have a swollen tuber-like rhizome underground and their appearances are very similar, so in some places the dahlia is called tianma flower. The dahlia's stem is upright, its flowers are white, red or purple, the upper leaves are sometimes divided, and the lower part is grayish-green.
I. Reasons
First of all, the dahlia is not tianma. The reason it is called tianma flower is that both tianma and the dahlia have a swollen, modified rhizome underground, and the two are very similar in appearance and color. For this reason, in some places the dahlia is called tianma flower, but note that the dahlia is not tianma.
II. Appearance Characteristics
The dahlia's stem is upright with many branches, and its height is about 1.5-2 m. The flowers are white, red or purple, and their tips have an indistinct 3-toothed edge. The upper leaves are sometimes divided, with ovate or oblong-ovate lobes, and the lower part is grayish-green, hairless on both sides.