Dahlia imperialis Roezl ex Ortgies

Perennial herb or shrub, rarely a tree to 4 m, mostly branched from the base; stems stout; rootstock not seen. Leaves opposite, 35 cm or longer, 1-3-pinnate, the leaflets ovate, apically acuminate, basally rounded or obtuse, the margins evenly serrate, appressed puberulent on the veins above, loosely pilose beneath, especially on the veins, reticulate veined beneath; petiole stout, slightly shorter than the laminate portion. Inflorescence a terminal, several-flowered panicle, the branches subtended by foliaceous bracts and reduced leaves resembling abortive peduncles; peduncle glabrous, stout, of varying length, tardily articulating near the apex. Heads large, radiate; involucral bracts in 2 unlike series, the outermost oblong, thickened, reflexed, ca. 10 mm long, the innermost twice as long, broadly ovate, scarious, drying dark brown with hyaline margins; ray florets ca. 9, the corollas white or lavender, the ligule narrowly elliptical or oblanceolate, 2-4 mm long; disc florets very numerous, yellow. Achene (Sorenson) 13-17 mm long, linear or slightly oblanceolate.

Growing from discarded garden waste, rooting readily from sections of stem, and persisting, in red volcanic soil with Lantana camara, at altitudes of 600–650 m.

The roots are ground and added to coffee like chicory. The young leaves are eaten.

Plants can be grown from seeds and cuttings.