It's not a named dahlia. It's also not an orchid form dahlia- in orchids the petals are curled inward- not outward & have 8 petals. It looks to me like a dahlia that at one time might have been a cactus but has totally lost it!

Hi, Linaria,
I disagree with the implication that it's a loser plant! I think it looks delightful. And the flower shape reminds me of some listed at Swan Island Dahlias under "collarettes and others."

Here is a link that might be useful: Swan Island

Hi Marty,
thanks for the link. So probably it is some kind of new cultivar, not some well known classic... And it does look similar to some of those Swan Island pics. I will definetely use it for my next year`s color scheme (pink, pastel yallow, lime green). THe plant performed well till the end, healthy foliage and all. And I cant imagine that the lady I got it from would have tolerated a degrading Dahlia, rather culled it.

Well thanks, it was worth a try,

bye, Lin

Why not save some seed from it. You might be surprised at what you get. Steve in Baltimore County

Classic case of: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
Grow what you like. Put your own name on this one and keep it. I doubt that it is a named variety and it is probably a seedling that came up in that person's garden. After a mild winter, dahlia seeds that fell on the ground can sprout in the Spring. I visited the garden of friend who had this happen and she wanted me to see the seedlings. Unfortunately, none of them were attractive to me.