Dahlias Source of New Cancer Drug! Check Out 8 Types

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New research from Oregon Health and Science University and the University of Portland has led to the discovery of a potentially cancer curing compound found in our beloved dahlias. Turns out dahlias have sulfuretin, which blocks bad things from happening to cells.

This sulfuretin compound prevents the maturation of what is called oligodendrocytes, which are cells that produce myelin. Myelin is the protective sheath covering each nerve cell’s axon — the threadlike portion of a cell that transmits electrical signals between cells. Damage to myelin is associated with MS, stroke, brain injuries and certain forms of dementia.

When inflammation triggers CEMIP production, it breaks down hyaluronic acid, making nerve repair harder in MS and helping cancer cells grow.

But sulfuretin, the compound discovered in dahlias, blocks CEMIP, boosting nerve repair and making it tougher for cancer cells to thrive, offering a new hope for treatment.

“Now we have an inhibitor that could actually stop that,” marvels Dr. Larry Sherman, Ph.D.,a professor in the Division of Neuroscience at OHSU’s Oregon National Primate Research Center who co-authored the study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, with Dr. Angela Hoffman, a nun and retired chemistry professor at the University of Portland.

“That’s the coolest part of doing ‘I-don’t-know-what’s-going-to-happen-next-research’, and that’s the kind I like,” Hoffman said.

Hoffman also credited her hardworking students who have spent years under her tutelage exploring floral remedies.

“Over the years, her students have been grinding up these flowers, extracting molecules and testing to see if any of them blocked hyaluronidase activity,” Sherman said. “Finally, a couple of years ago, they found a compound that was promising.”

Researchers said the applications for treatment may include MS, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, certain brain injuries and even cerebral palsy.

The next step is to test the compound in animal models to ascertain its effectiveness and possible side effects in treating cancer and neurodegenerative conditions like MS.

But until this happens, perhaps consider learning about these special flowers and their varieties with help from the National Garden Bureau.

Let’s Talk About Dahlias

Dahlias are becoming increasingly popular in landscapes and make excellent additions to border plantings, flowerpots, and cut-flower gardens. They flower continuously from summer through the first frost and will bloom prolifically if spent flowers are removed regularly. They do best in full sun and prefer well-drained sandy soils but will tolerate heavier clay soils, especially if amended with sand or peat moss.

Dahlias can grow as short as 12 inches and as tall as six feet depending on the type. Classified by their size, shape, and color, the endless varieties of dahlias available means there’s something for everyone! Colors range from yellow, pink, purple, red, scarlet, orange, to white and several varieties are multi-colored, featuring stripes and two-toned petals.

Dinnerplate Dahlias

Dinnerplate Dahlias are the most dramatic of dahlias with huge blooms up to 12 inches across! Dinnerplate is not actually an official classification, as these magnificent blooms are registered under many other dahlia types. These beauties bloom continuously from summer through the first frost.

Giant blooms, growing to 12 inches in diameter
Petals are sometimes twisted or pointy
Growing up to four feet tall
Great for border gardens
Height and size add intense visual interest to the garden

Cactus/Semi-Cactus Dahlias

Cactus Dahlias get their name from their pointed rays of petals that give them a prickly look with double flowers that come in a range of colors. These unique varietals bloom all the way through summer and tend to hold up well to adverse weather conditions.

Curled petals give blooms a spikey look
Blooms range from 2 to 12 inches across
Plants usually grow to at least 40 inches tall
Add an unusual textural element to the garden

Pompon & Ball Dahlias

These small, double flowers have an open center and are globe-shaped with rolled petals that curve inwards. Petals are usually blunt at the tips and are often perfectly symmetrical in their arrangement. Beautiful in bouquets or as patio plantings with vibrant shades of pinks, yellows, and oranges.

Petals form a spiral
Most varieties feature small flowers
Can grow up to three feet tall
Striking swirls of symmetrical petals

Decorative Dahlias

Decorative Dahlias are unique, double flowers that have petals with tips that are flat or rolled. They add a dazzling display to landscapes and cut flower arrangements. This classification comes in two categories: “formal” Decorative varieties tend to have broad and flat-tipped petals with symmetrical arrangements while “informal” varieties have irregular petal arrangements with rolled tips. These come in a huge range of sizes, making them suitable for a great variety of landscaping applications.

Formal varieties have evenly spaced, flat-tip petals
Informal varieties have irregular petal arrangements of twisted or wavy petals
Come in a variety of sizes but typically have large blooms
Varieties can be as short as 12 inches and as tall as six feet!

Anemone & Collarette Dahlias

Anemone Dahlias feature one or more layers of petals surrounding a cluster of small florets that form a pincushion-like center. Collarettes have a layer of flat or slightly cupped petals surrounding an open center. Flowers are solid or bicolor and come in a range of colors from deep burgundies and oranges to bright yellows and whites. These dahlia blooms tend to be smaller than other types and are good for borders and containers.

Unique formation of larger outer petals surrounding inner layer of smaller petals
Small blooms, up to four inches in diameter
Great for border and container plantings
Most varieties grow between 40 and 48 inches tall

Peony-Flowered Dahlias

Peony-flowered Dahlias have small flowers with two or more layers of petals surrounding an open center disc. Several peony-flowered varieties have dark-colored foliage, setting them apart from other dahlia types. As with most dahlia varieties, peony-flowered types bloom continuously from summer through first frost. These make great border and container plantings and will also hold up in cut flower arrangements for up to a week.

Flowers are typically four to six inches in diameter
Varieties grow two to four feet tall
Often with irregular petal shape and unique, dark-colored foliage
Nice for border or container plantings

Orchid Dahlias

The spider-like look of Orchid Dahlias make them the most unique of dahlia types, featuring one ray of florets surrounding the center or double blooms with no center showing. Single-layered Orchid Dahlias often resemble pinwheels with vibrantly colored rolled petals and bright orange or yellow centers. Double-flowered varieties have swept-back petals that roll inward.

Varieties grow two to four feet tall
Uniquely shaped petals in single and double layers
Resemble Encyclica orchids
Versatile for planting in classic or contemporary gardens

Mignon Dahlias

Mignon Dahlias are classic blooms, compact with a rounded, daisy-like appearance displaying a single layer of petals around golden centers. Available in various shades of pink as well as soft yellow, red, and white. They have a relatively short growth habit making them a versatile option in the garden.

Daisy-like petal arrangement and look
Blooms are three to four inches
Plantings reach about 20 inches tall
Great for containers or window boxes

Growing Dahlias

Dahlias are grown from tubers which are similar to bulbs but with potato-like skins. Dahlia tubers can overwinter in the ground in zone 8 and higher or be lifted after the first frost and stored over winter in colder climates. They prefer warm soils and a moderate amount of water; too much water can cause tubers to rot. To learn all the details about how to plant these amazing flowers, read Eden Brothers’ Dahlia Planting Guide And always remember, dahlias make great cut flowers. In fact, the more dahlia flowers are cut, the more the plant will produce.

This helpful information from the National Garden Bureau hopefully helps in choosing the right dahlia for your home. Plus it could inspire your kids one day to research flowers and find healing not only in the sight of them, but inside their petals.