Dahlia Classification Abbreviations
AN – Anemone
One or more rows of petals surrounding a dense group of collared, elongated disc florets.
BA – Ball
Fully double flowers, ball-shaped or slightly flattened at the face, the ray florets blunt, rounded, or indented. Involute for most of their length, fully involute for about one-half their length, and normally displayed in a spiral arrangement. (Involute-Florets rolled forward or overlap)
C – Straight Cactus
Petals rolled for one-half their length, straight or nearly straight.
CO – Collarette
One row of flat or slightly cupped petals surrounding a disc. These flowers have an inner set of petaloids generally multiple and irregular forming a collar around the disc. (Petaloid-Additional floral parts on the ray florets appearing smaller)
FD – Formal Decorative
Flat petals with an even, regular placement throughout the flowers.
IC – Incurved Cactus
Petals rolled for their full length, with tips of the petals curving toward the center of the flower.
ID – Informal Decorative
Generally flat petals, sometimes slightly rolled at the tips, but with irregular arrangement of formation.
LC – Laciniated
Petals are split at the tip with the number and depth of the splits varying according to the size of the flower.
MB – Miniature Ball
Except for the size, miniature ball and ball dahlias possess the same form features.
MS – Mignon Single
Single row of petals, with a flower diameter under 2″.
NO – Novelty Open (Disc) Center
Characteristics distinct and different from the present classification. Center is open.
NX – Novelty Double Center
Same features as Novelty Open with a double center.
O – Orchid
Open centered flowers with one of ray florets surrounding a disc. The florets involute for two-thirds or more of their length. Usually partially overlapping.
P – Pompon
Fully double flowers almost round in shape with tightly quilled petals. Flower size 2″ or less.
PE – Peony
Open centered flowers with two or more rows of petals surrounding a disc. Petals may be irregularly formed.
S – Single Single
Single row of flat petals surrounding a disc.
SC – Semi-Cactus
Petals flat at the base, with less than half of the petals rolled or quilled.
ST – Stellar
Decorative shaped flowers with petals being creased causing them to be narrow and involute with a slight recurve to the stem.
WL – Waterlily
Closed center with multiple rows of ray florets normally broad and flat or slightly incurved, depth usually less than one half the diameter.
